Iranian, French foreign ministers discuss regional escalation after US-Israeli war
Abbas Araghchi says Iran will continue ‘defensive operations’ against US, Israel
ISTANBUL
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot discussed the ongoing escalation in the Middle East region on Monday and their security and economic repercussions in a phone call.
Araghchi said Iran would continue what he described as “defensive operations” against the US and Israel, including targeting their military bases and facilities in the region, the state news agency IRNA reported.
He argued that Iranian retaliatory attacks are a “response” to the US use of regional territories and bases to wage an “illegal war” against Iran.
The Iranian minister criticized some European countries, saying they have limited their response to expressing concern over the economic consequences of the war while remaining silent to “brutal attacks” against the Iranian people.
Araghchi said the US and Israeli attacks are the “main source of insecurity” in the Strait of Hormuz. He said Tehran allows vessels to transit the waterway in coordination with Iranian authorities, while restricting passage of ships belonging to countries involved in the war against Iran.
He warned that any “provocative” steps by the US, Israel and their supporters, including at the UN Security Council, would further complicate the situation.
Barrot, for his part, reiterated France’s opposition to the war and attacks on civilian targets, and expressed concern over rising tensions in the region, including in Lebanon, according to IRNA.
He stressed the need to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to reach a solution to end the war and restore stability and security to the region.
Regional escalations have continued to rage since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
