Iran FM touring region to stop Israeli crimes, promote peace
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has embarked on a regional tour, expressed hope that his visits to the regional countries would lead to better conditions for Palestine, Lebanon and peace in the region.
Araghchi made the remarks upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Wednesday, where he held talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
The Iranian foreign minister said that the purpose of his trip to Saudi Arabia and other regional countries is to discuss regional issues, especially developments in Lebanon, Gaza, crimes committed by the Israeli regime as well as the Lebanese people who have been displaced following Israel’s attacks on their country.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei in message on X described the meeting as constructive, saying that both sides discussed the latest developments in the region, especially in Gaza and Lebanon. Baghaei said that the two foreign ministers called for cessation of Isarel’s genocidal war on Gaza and Lebanon as well as providing refugees with humanitarian aid.
Earlier on the day, Baghaei said on X that Araghchi’s visit would focus on stopping “the Israeli regime’s genocide & aggression” and aimed to “alleviate the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Lebanon.”
Israel has been waging a year-long war on the Gaza Strip where more than 42,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been killed in the regime’s strikes.
Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, began firing on northern Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza, and since last month, Israel has significantly ramped up its strikes on the resistance movement’s positions.
Baghaei said the meetings in Riyadh were “in furtherance of our diplomatic efforts, in coordination with countries of the region.”
In Beirut on Friday, Araghchi said Tehran supports efforts for a “simultaneous” cease-fire in Lebanon and the Palestinian territory.
Tehran-Riyadh ties
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the top diplomats “discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields” and also addressed regional developments.
After meeting with Saudi officials, the Iranian top diplomat will travel to Qatar to hold talks with the officials of the Persian Gulf country.
The Islamic republic has called Hamas’s last year Operation al-Aqsa Storm on Israel “a turning point in the history of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people against Israel.”
Iran has also repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide and war crimes since the Gaza war began.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter and custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, paused US-brokered talks on normalizing ties with Israel after the Gaza war broke out.
Saudi officials said they wanted a pathway towards a Palestinian state as a condition of normalization.
But last month, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, toughened his tone, explicitly saying that an “independent Palestinian state” was necessary.
Araghchi also met and discussed latest regional developments with Bin Salman after talks with his Saudi counterpart.