Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, in his speech at the Islamic Cooperation Organization Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Baghdad, emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, stating: "The choice before us is simple; we either build security together or we will endure insecurity together." These remarks were made in a context where the security situation in the Middle East remains concerning.
Thanks to Iraq for Hosting and the Importance of Islamic Unity
Araghchi began his speech by thanking the government and people of Iraq for hosting this meeting and their warm hospitality. He continued: "We are pleased to gather in a land that has long been a place for cultural interactions; especially at a time when unity and dialogue in the Islamic world are more necessary than ever." He also referred to the principles of the Islamic Cooperation Organization charter, stating that these principles do not belong to any specific country or group and must be implemented equally for all countries.
Emphasis on Diplomacy and International Law
Araghchi further pointed to the blatant violations of international law by the United States and the Zionist regime, addressing the military crimes of these countries against Iran and the Palestinian people. He reminded that Iran has always sought diplomacy in good faith but has faced military attacks. He emphasized that Iran will defend its sovereignty and legitimate interests, but this defense does not contradict peace.
Araghchi also referred to safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that security in this region cannot be established through threats and military aggression. He added: "We recognize the damage caused by war, and for this reason, we value peace." He also urged the member countries of the Islamic Cooperation Organization to stand firmly against attacks on Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to support the rights of this country.
Palestine and Yemen in Focus
In another part of his speech, Araghchi referred to the situation in Palestine and Yemen, emphasizing that Iran will always stand by the Palestinian people. He stated: "Palestine remains a wound on the conscience of the global community, and Gaza has become a symbol of the failure of international mechanisms to prevent genocide." He also addressed the situation in Yemen, mentioning that this country has been enduring a devastating war for nearly a decade, and the role of the United States and its allies in this humanitarian disaster is undeniable.
The Iranian Foreign Minister concluded his speech by emphasizing the necessity of supporting the rights of the Yemeni people and conducting an inclusive political process to resolve the Yemen crisis, stating: "No government can establish sustainable security at the expense of the security of others."
