Iran accuses U.S. of undermining peace efforts in the Gulf
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of being solely responsible for the growing insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington's repeated violations of its commitments have undermined regional stability and threatened international peace.
Araghchi made the remarks during a phone conversation on Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in which the two officials discussed bilateral relations, developments in West Asia, and cooperation within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS.
The two ministers reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Tehran and Beijing, emphasizing the determination of both countries' leadership to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and security sectors. They also stressed the importance of fully implementing bilateral agreements and expanding collaboration through multilateral platforms such as the SCO and BRICS.
During the talks, Araghchi strongly condemned what he described as the United States' clear violation of a ceasefire agreement, accusing Washington of launching attacks on Iran's vital infrastructure and committing acts that he characterized as war crimes.
He said the deteriorating security situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region was "exclusively caused by American oath-breaking" and Washington's disruption of Iran's implementation of its obligations under Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The Iranian foreign minister reaffirmed Tehran's determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity against what he described as continued U.S. military aggression, stressing that Iran would not compromise on its right to protect its people and national interests.
Araghchi also called on the international community to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter, warning that continued silence in the face of U.S. actions risks normalizing the unlawful use of force in international relations and further undermining the global legal order.
For his part, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that lasting peace and stability in West Asia can only be achieved through greater trust, dialogue, and cooperation among regional countries.
He reiterated Beijing's support for diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and expressed China's readiness to facilitate dialogue and provide any assistance that could contribute to restoring peace and stability in the region.
The conversation underscored the growing strategic alignment between Iran and China at a time of heightened regional tensions, with both countries calling for stronger multilateral cooperation and greater respect for international law as the foundation for regional security. (ILKHA)
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