Araghchi: Iran determined to defend national security and interests
During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation gathering in Kyrgyzstan on Friday, the two officials discussed bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade, transport and energy sectors.
They also exchanged views on coordination within international organisations and multilateral frameworks, including the SCO and BRICS, and agreed to pursue efforts to facilitate the implementation of agreements reached between Iran and Russia.
Turning to developments in West Asia, Araghchi thanked Moscow for what he described as its “principled positions” in condemning U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran.
He said the ongoing insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz was a direct result of what he called U.S. “bad faith and crimes,” stressing that while Iran had demonstrated its commitment to diplomacy leading to the ceasefire agreement, it remained equally determined to defend its national security and prevent Washington from using the strategic waterway to threaten Iran.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s condemnation of U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran and underscored the importance of cooperation and confidence-building measures to establish a regional security mechanism involving countries in the region.
He also expressed Russia’s readiness to provide any assistance necessary in support of such efforts.
