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Iran, Russia agree regional conflicts have no military solution: FM
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran, Russia and many other countries share the view that regional disputes cannot be resolved by military means and must instead be addressed through diplomacy and political solutions.
Speaking at a joint news conference with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran, Araghchi said they discussed a broad range of regional and international issues, including the Persian Gulf, West Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, Iran-US negotiations and developments in Ukraine.
The Iranian foreign minister described his talks with Lavrov as “important, intensive and productive”.
He added that relations between Iran and Russia were strategic and had evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, adding that ties had entered a new phase following the signing and implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement by the two countries’ presidents.
The agreement had given bilateral relations broader and deeper dimensions and elevated their importance, Araghchi stressed.
Araghchi and Lavrov also examined practical ways to expand economic, trade, political and cultural cooperation.
Iran’s top diplomat said economic ties were progressing very favorably and that there were no major obstacles to further expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.
Turning to regional conflicts, Araghchi said Tehran and Moscow had discussed Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen, stressing that the genocide of Palestinians and the Israeli regime’s dangerous expansionism in the region must come to an end.
Iran’s top diplomat also said the ministers had addressed insecurity in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, attributing the situation directly to US and Israeli military aggression against Iran.
Araghchi said the aggression began on February 28 and has continued in various forms. He said the imposed war waged by the United States and Israel, along with the economic blockade, are the main drivers of insecurity in the region.
Araghchi also underscored shared positions of Iran and Moscow on international affairs, saying Tehran and Moscow fundamentally opposed the United States’ “aggressive unilateralism”.
Iran and Russia would continue working together through international institutions and forums to strengthen multilateralism and safeguard the principles of international law, he said.
Russian foreign minister arrived in Tehran on Monday in his first visit since the outbreak of the US’s war on Iran as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role.
His visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in early October that Moscow was prepared to contribute to mediation efforts.
During the press conference, Araghchi also voiced serious concern over recent security developments in the Caspian Sea, including attacks on Iranian and Russian vessels. He said the incidents could have serious consequences for regional peace and security and inflict irreversible damage on the Caspian Sea’s environment.