Iran FM Araghchi meets UK counterpart in New York

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with the British Foreign Secretary in New York, where the two top diplomats exchanged views on bilateral relations, the latest regional and international developments, and issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Araghchi attributed the prevailing insecurity in the region and the Strait of Hormuz to military aggression waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, which he said was carried out with the support and complicity of certain European nations. He stated that this aggression has inflicted heavy losses on Iran, the region, and the world. The Iranian foreign minister said that establishing lasting stability and security in the region is contingent upon ending the occupation and realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly the right to self-determination. He noted that the British government and certain other European states must be held accountable for the role they have played in the formation and perpetuation of what he described as an occupying and terrorist regime in West Asia.

Araghchi called for a correction of the destructive and irresponsible approaches taken by certain European governments regarding Iran and regional developments, emphasizing that insisting on interference in the internal affairs of nations and instrumentalizing human rights concepts is absolutely unacceptable. He identified the continued comprehensive military and political support from the UK and certain other European nations as a major factor in the escalation of the occupying regime's crimes against the Palestinian people and countries of the region. He emphasized that, under relevant international treaties, the UK and other states are obligated to take action to criminally prosecute and punish officials of the Zionist regime for genocide and war crimes.

During this meeting, the foreign ministers of Iran and the UK also discussed bilateral relations as well as diplomatic and consular consultations between the two countries. According to Mehr News, the meeting took place in New York, though specific details on the outcomes or any agreements reached were not provided.