Iran pushing for end to Ukraine War: FM

Deploring the Western governments for complicating the situation by arming Ukraine, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian highlighted Tehran’s constant efforts at ending the Ukraine war.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian said Iran stresses the importance of integrity of security across the region.

Pointing to his talks with Sergei Lavrov about the crisis in Ukraine, the FM said Iran is prepared to press on with the efforts at ending the war at the level of presidents and foreign ministers.

He also noted that the Western governments’ move to supply Ukraine with various arms is only complicating the matters further.

Referring to the Chinese president’s initiative for peace in Ukraine, the FM added, “We welcome any initiative leading to peace in the region and the world. We welcomed the Chinese President’s idea about Ukraine on the basis of our principled view which is avoiding war and supporting diplomatic solution and dialogue.”

He then stated that a broad range of issues have been discussed with the Russian Foreign Minister, including cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in the economic and technological fields, as well as the security and defense policies.

Amir-Abdollahian also said they have talked about the developments in the Caucasus.

Cautioning the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia against the detrimental effects of continuation of tensions in the Caucasus, he warned that foreign interference and the attempts at geopolitical changes in the region will complicate the situation.

Asked about the American officials’ claim that the US bases in Syria have been hit by Iran, Amir-Abdollahian said Americans make unfounded claims and hasty judgments before giving credible evidence.

Iran has always played a constructive and positive role in contribution to regional peace and does not seek conflict and tension, the FM underlined, saying Iran’s response to the US about the developments in the east of the Euphrates was “decisive and clear”.

For his part, the Russian Foreign Minister pointed to the talks about the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing that there is no substitute for the 2015 nuclear deal that has been endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Reiterating the need for the US to resume honoring its commitments under the JCPOA immediately, Lavrov emphasized that all illegal sanctions against Iran must be lifted.

He then hailed the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, saying Russia has always promoted the concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf region.

SS