Araghchi Says Iran Reserves Right to Respond to Aggression

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has said Iran has not initiated any war and stressed that regional security depends on avoiding double standards.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Araghchi called on the group to play a stronger role in supporting multilateralism and international law. He said Iran has the right to respond to any act of aggression and warned that the source of any attack against Iran could be considered a legitimate target for defensive action.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law, reserves its right to take all necessary measures within the framework of legitimate defense and will consider the source of any aggression against the Iranian nation as a legitimate target for defensive actions by its Armed Forces,” he said.

Araghchi said Iran had exercised its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter following military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime. He added that Iran had not been the initiator of any war.

He said Iran’s policy was based on dialogue, diplomacy, good neighborliness and regional cooperation. However, he stressed that lasting peace could only be achieved through respect for international law and an end to aggression, occupation and double standards.

The Iranian foreign minister also criticized the US and the Zionist regime for repeated attacks against Iran, saying the strikes had targeted national security and important principles of international law.

He said attacks on civilian facilities, critical infrastructure, economic centres and peaceful nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were a serious concern.

Araghchi also accused Washington of violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict. He said US attacks had continued to target transportation infrastructure, water facilities, fishing boats, commercial vessels and other civilian targets.

He further warned that US involvement in security arrangements and maritime measures in the Strait of Hormuz had threatened the security of the strategic waterway and disrupted commercial shipping.

Araghchi said security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz could not be guaranteed through the presence of extra-regional forces. Instead, he called for cooperation, mutual respect and collective responsibility among regional countries.

On other regional issues, Araghchi condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon and what he described as violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza one of the biggest challenges to regional and international peace and security.

He called for an immediate end to military actions against civilians, unrestricted humanitarian aid, opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians and support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

Araghchi also highlighted the role of the SCO in addressing global challenges. He said the organisation could become a stronger voice for multilateralism, national sovereignty, equality among states and the rule of law.

He urged SCO members to increase economic cooperation, promote trade and investment, strengthen regional transport networks and use independent financial mechanisms.

The Iranian foreign minister said Iran’s strategic location connecting Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia and international waters allows it to contribute to regional cooperation in transport, energy security, trade and economic development.