Araghchi says Tehran quadrilateral meeting advanced regional dialogue

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said the recent Tehran meeting involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey offered a valuable opportunity to advance dialogue on regional peace and security and on joint efforts against threats and challenges. He described the agreement to continue consultations as a significant step, according to Mehr News.

In a message posted on Instagram, Araghchi said turning this opportunity into sustainable cooperation requires agreement on principles, trust-building, mutual respect for the sovereignty of states and practical commitments. He said that from the Islamic Republic of Iran's perspective, sustainable security must be provided with the participation of regional countries and without the military presence and interference of extra-regional powers.

Araghchi said this approach is based on regional countries taking responsibility for determining their own destiny. He added that countering what he described as the aggression of the Zionist regime is, within the same framework, a fundamental necessity for defending the independence and sovereignty of states and preventing the expansion of war. He also said Iran's neighbors are its priority.

The meeting brought together Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, and its participants agreed to continue consultations. Araghchi's remarks framed the gathering as part of a broader effort to keep regional channels of communication open.

According to Mehr News, the foreign minister's comments were published in an Instagram post in which he set out the principles he said are needed to build lasting regional cooperation.