Iran determined to defend national interests, security: FM Araghchi

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran remains firmly committed to defending its national interests and security, stressing that the current instability in the Strait of Hormuz is the direct result of the United States’ breach of commitments and crimes against the Islamic Republic.

Speaking in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Kyrgyzstan on Friday, Araghchi expressed appreciation for Russia’s condemnation of the US and Israeli military attacks against Iran.

Araghchi said the current instability in the Strait of Hormuz was “the direct result of the United States’ bad faith and crimes committed against Iran.”

Recalling Iran’s goodwill during negotiations that led to a war-ending memorandum of understanding, Araghchi emphasized that “just as the Islamic Republic of Iran demonstrated seriousness in diplomacy, it remains determined to defend its national interests and security and prevent the United States from exploiting the Strait of Hormuz to threaten Iran’s national security.”

For his part, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s principled position condemning the US and Israeli military aggression against Iran.

He underlined the importance of cooperation and confidence-building to establish a regional security mechanism led by the countries of the region and expressed Moscow’s readiness to provide any assistance in this regard.

The two ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade, transportation, and energy fields, as well as coordination within international and regional organizations, including the SCO and BRICS.

They agreed to pursue the implementation of previously reached agreements between Tehran and Moscow.

The ministers also exchanged views on developments in West Asia following Washington’s renewed violation of the Islamabad war-termination understanding.

Iran will never bow to US bullying, threats: Araghchi

The Iranian foreign minister says Tehran will never bow to US bullying pressure and threats.

The illegal US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, which began on February 28, enters its fifth month.

On April 8, after 40 days, because of Iran’s retaliatory operations and control over the Strait of Hormuz, the US and the Israeli regime were forced to agree to a ceasefire.

However, the US renewed its onslaught on Iran after violating the Pakistan-brokered Memorandum of Understanding of June 17 by attempting unauthorized naval movements through the Strait of Hormuz, with the Iranian Navy intercepting the vessels to enforce the agreement.

The US military has conducted air raids across the country for 13 consecutive nights, targeting civilian sites including telecommunication infrastructure, bridges and water desalination plants, killing 55 people and injuring 645 others.

In response, Iran's Armed Forces have launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes against US military bases across the region.

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