NEW YORK -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi used a series of meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to press Iran’s security concerns, emphasizing border security with Iraq and warning regional and European countries against allowing their territory or facilities to be used for actions against Iran.
Araghchi held separate talks with his Iraqi, French and Dutch counterparts, discussing bilateral relations, regional developments and the wider US and Israeli war against Iran.
In his meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, the two sides stressed the importance of safeguarding security along their shared border, implementing agreements reached in this regard and taking effective measures against terrorist activities.
They reviewed bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, consular and security affairs, and emphasized the need to expand relations in areas of mutual interest.
Araghchi briefed Hussein on the latest developments concerning shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, including an understanding reached between Iran and Oman on establishing safe routes for commercial shipping.
He said the insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz is solely the result of aggressive actions by the United States and Israel, and that restoring security to the strategic waterway
requires an end to U.S. actions creating insecurity.
He stressed the need for all countries in the region to adhere to the principle of good-neighborliness, particularly by preventing parties Iran considers aggressors from using their territory and facilities to plan or carry out unlawful and aggressive actions against Iran.
He emphasized that Iran remains determined to defend its sovereignty and national interests.
In his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Araghchi criticized France’s interventionist positions toward Iran and stressed the need for the French Embassy in Tehran to respect Iran’s domestic laws and regulations.
He described France’s position on regional developments, particularly its response to U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran, as unacceptable.
“France cannot claim to be concerned about human rights while remaining silent over the crimes against humanity committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, including the killing of Iranian women and children,” he said.
He criticized Paris for cooperating in the implementation of illegal U.S. sanctions against Iran, saying Tehran seeks relations based on mutual respect but will act firmly to defend its interests.
In a separate meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Brandson, Araghchi again criticized European positions, particularly European silence regarding U.S. and Israeli terrorist military actions against Iran.
He said European countries could not simultaneously claim to support the rule of law and human rights while remaining indifferent to or supporting overt U.S.-Israeli military aggression.
Araghchi referred to Iran’s diplomatic efforts over its nuclear program, saying Tehran has pursued diplomacy to remove U.S. pretexts concerning the nuclear issue.
He hit out at Washington for repeatedly breaching its commitments and described U.S. warmongering as a major cause of current insecurity in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
“The only way to restore peace and stability to the region is to stop the unlawful and aggressive actions of the United States and respect Iran’s national rights and interests,” he said.
In a post on X on Wednesday morning New York time, Araghchi wrote, referring to EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and other European officials, “In meetings with @kajakallas and other EU counterparts, I warned of the severe long-term consequences of facilitating and supporting Israeli-U.S. war crimes, whether in Gaza or Iran. That major folly aside, @SecGenNATO should know by now that groveling never satisfies a bully.”