Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Erakchi accused European countries of supporting attacks against Iran and said, "Europe must face the facts; Europe, just like the USA, is paying the price for its miscalculations."
Erakchi evaluated regional developments and relations between the two countries at the joint press conference he held with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran.
Arguing that Europe is a party to the attacks on Iran along with the USA and referring to the events in France, Erakçi said, "Europe must face the facts; Europe, just like the USA, is paying the price for its miscalculations. They are the cause of many wars and current problems in the world with their wrong policies."
Emphasizing that the crises in the region can only be resolved through diplomatic means, Erakçi stated that military methods will not bring a solution to the problems.
Emphasis on strategic partnership between Iran and Russia
Stating that they had a productive meeting with his Russian counterpart Lavrov, Erakchi drew attention to the importance of the strategic partnership between Iran and Russia.
Erakçi said, "Our relations have gained more important dimensions after the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the leaders of Iran and Russia came into force. During our meeting, we discussed solutions for expanding economic, commercial, political and cultural cooperation. Economic cooperation between the two countries is progressing positively. We will strongly continue our cooperation at the level of BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Eurasian Economic Union."
Stating that they also discussed the developments in Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen with Lavrov, Erakçi said that Israel's attacks against Palestinians should be stopped.
Referring to the occasional attacks on ships in the Caspian Sea, Erakçi said, "We are seriously concerned about the events taking place in the Caspian Sea and the attacks on the ships and port infrastructure of Iran and Russia. We believe that these developments cause irreparable damage to the peace of the region."
Security statement in the Strait of Hormuz
Arguing that the security problems in the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings are caused by the attacks of the USA and Israel, Erakçi stated that they support the initiatives of the countries in the region to ensure their own security.
Erakçi said, "We welcome the initiatives of the regional countries to ensure their own security and to establish security mechanisms without the presence and intervention of foreign elements. We are ready to hold consultations with the regional countries to create an inclusive security architecture."
Lavrov: Russia fulfills its commitments towards Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov argued that the USA and Israel attacked Iran without any justification and said that the Moscow administration was ready to contribute to the solution of the crisis.
Stating that they want to ensure the security of maritime transportation in the Persian Gulf, Lavrov emphasized that attacks against Iran should not be repeated.
Making evaluations regarding the developments in Ukraine, Lavrov claimed that the Ukrainian administration and some European countries did not take a serious approach. Lavrov thanked Iran for its support to the solution plans offered by Russia.
Stating that Russia has fulfilled its commitments towards Iran, Lavrov reminded that Russian experts and technical personnel are gradually returning to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant project.
Message of regional cooperation in the South Caucasus
Stating that the problems in the South Caucasus should be solved by the countries of the region, Lavrov stated that Iran and Russia are working together to develop the "3+3" cooperation mechanism in the region.
Lavrov stated that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Iran, Russia and Türkiye, neighbors of these countries, can take effective steps to strengthen regional security in the Caucasus by evaluating their existing opportunities.
