Araghchi and Lavrov hold talks: criticism of Europe, emphasis on bilateral cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The talks covered bilateral relations as well as regional crises and international developments. Araghchi argued that Europe has joined the United States in attacks on Iran and pointed to the events in France.

Avrupa gerçeklerle yüzleşmeli; Avrupa da tıpkı ABD gibi yanlış hesaplamalarının bedelini ödüyor, yanlış politikalarıyla dünyadaki birçok savaşın ve mevcut sorunun sebebi durumundalar.

Abbas Araghchi

Araghchi said there is no way out of the regional crises other than diplomacy and that problems cannot be solved by military means.

Bilateral ties and regional security

Araghchi described his meeting with Lavrov as positive and said a strategic partnership exists between the two countries. Noting that relations gained greater significance after the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement entered into force, he said the sides discussed expanding economic, trade, political and cultural cooperation. He added that cooperation within BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Union will continue strongly. The two ministers also discussed Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen; Araghchi said Israeli attacks on Palestinians must stop.

Recalling occasional attacks on ships in the Caspian Sea, Araghchi said Iran and Russia are seriously concerned about strikes on ship and port infrastructure. He said they believe these developments cause irreparable harm to regional peace.

Arguing that insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region stems from US and Israeli attacks, Araghchi said they welcome initiatives for regional countries to ensure their own security without foreign interference.

Kapsayıcı bir güvenlik mimarisi oluşturmak için bölge ülkeleriyle istişarelerde bulunmaya hazırız.

Abbas Araghchi

Lavrov's remarks

Lavrov said the United States and Israel attacked Iran without grounds and that Moscow is ready to help in resolving the crisis. He stressed that they want navigation safety in the Persian Gulf and no repetition of aggression against Iran. Saying that both the Kyiv government and some European countries have acted unseriously on Ukraine, Lavrov thanked Iran for supporting the plans Russia has put forward.

Lavrov said Russia is fulfilling its commitments to Iran and recalled that Russian experts and technical staff are gradually returning to the Bushehr nuclear power plant project. Stating that South Caucasus problems should be resolved within the region, he said Iran and Russia are cooperating to advance the "3+3" regional cooperation mechanism. He added that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, together with neighbours Iran, Russia and Türkiye, could take effective steps to improve regional security by using their capacities.