Iranian FM warns of Israel’s plot to expand conflict
Araghchi: Countries, UNSC responsible to stop Israel’s aggression against Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday emphasized the responsibility all countries and the UN Security Council have to stop Israel’s aggression against Iran and hold the regime accountable for the violation of international law.
The Iranian top diplomat made the remarks in a phone call with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Referring to Israel’s targeting of Iran’s public infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and the killing of Iranian people in the past days, Araghchi called the Israel’s aggression a clear violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental rules of international law as well as a threat to global peace and security.
Iran’s top diplomat called for all governments, especially in Europe, to take “responsible stances” against the Israel’s measures.
He also warned other regional and global actors about the regime’s conspiracy to expand the scope of the conflict, calling for vigilance of all countries in this regard.
The Iranian foreign minister also held a joint phone call with his counterparts from France, Britain and Germany and the European Union foreign policy chief to discuss the latest developments.
Araghchi described Israel’s aggression amid nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington an “unprecedented blow to diplomacy” and called on European countries to “see the reality” and condemn the regime’s actions.
He stressed that Iran’s “legitimate defense” would continue and warned that Israel and its supporters would bear full responsibility for any escalation.
The Iranian foreign minister added that the war has obviously been started with the US support.
Trump not seeking cease-fire
US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened Iran with military action in recent months if no nuclear deal is reached, said on Tuesday that he is not seeking a cease-fire between Iran and Israel but instead wants to see “a real end” to Iran’s nuclear program, with Tehran abandoning it “entirely”.
The US president predicted Israel would not let up in its bombing campaign and suggested a decisive moment in that campaign was imminent, though he made clear he expected Israel to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities without US help.
“You’re going to find out over the next two days … Nobody’s slowed up so far,” he told CBS News, after abruptly abandoning a G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies, saying he was returning to the White House to deal with the conflict.
Speaking to reporters on the way back to Washington, Trump said he was seeking “an end, a real end, not a cease-fire”.
That would involve a “complete give-up” by Iran, he said.
Israel’s aggression against Iran has drawn international condemnations.
In a strongly worded joint statement, the foreign ministers of 21 Arab and Islamic countries condemned the “brutal aggression” by the Israeli regime, warning of grave regional consequences if tensions continue to escalate.
The joint communiqué expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation and called for an immediate halt to Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.
“The escalation of such tensions poses serious threats to the security and stability of the entire region,” the statement warned, emphasizing that continued Israeli attacks on Iran could lead to dangerous repercussions.