Brussels: Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has held a joint phone call with the foreign ministers of three European countries and the European Union foreign policy chief to discuss the latest developments surrounding Israel’s aggression on Iran. During the phone conversation, Araqchi condemned Israel’s ‘blatant aggression’ against Iran, including strikes on peaceful nuclear facilities, economic infrastructure, military sites, and residential areas.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Araqchi stated that the attacks represented an ‘unprecedented blow to diplomacy’ and urged European countries to acknowledge the reality and condemn the Israeli regime’s actions. He emphasized that Iran’s legitimate defense would continue firmly and warned that Israel and its supporters would bear full responsibility for any escalation. Additionally, Araqchi accused the U.S. of being complicit in Israel’s actions, as he claimed the war had been launched against the Iranian people with American support.
Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, Araqchi noted that while Iran has never left the negotiating table, the current priority is to deliver a forceful and deterrent response to the aggression. The European ministers and the E.U. foreign policy chief expressed regret over the current situation, offered condolences for the loss of life, and emphasized the importance of diplomacy and their readiness to help de-escalate tensions.
In a separate phone conversation with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, Araqchi criticized the positions of certain European countries and their leniency toward the Israeli regime’s violations of international law. He underscored that the Israeli regime had committed a clear act of military aggression against Iran, violating fundamental principles of international law. Araqchi cited attacks on nuclear facilities, assassinations of military figures, and the killing of civilians as ‘unforgivable crimes.’
Araqchi stressed that under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Iran is determined to exercise its right to legitimate self-defense. Tajani expressed regret over the deteriorating security situation in West Asia and voiced Italy’s readiness to help de-escalate tensions.