Iranian Nation Will Stand Against Any Aggression, Greed, Pressure: FM

Speaking at a meeting with guests attending the 40th International Conference on Islamic Unity late Friday, Araghchi said that after seven decades of selfless struggle, the Leader of the Revolution deserved martyrdom.
However, he stressed that Iran would neither forgive nor forget his martyrdom, adding that the movement to seek justice for his blood would certainly continue.

He further noted that just as the movement inspired by the blood of Imam Hussein (AS) has continued for more than 1,400 years, the blood of the Martyred Leader would continue to leave its mark on history and inspire future generations.

Araghchi said the enemies, realizing that their previous efforts had failed to break the cohesion of the Iranian people, launched conspiracies aimed at creating internal divisions.

He explained that the enemies had dispatched armed groups to create insecurity and carry out what he described as a “killing project,” in which Iranians are killed and the Islamic Republic is falsely portrayed as responsible, in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the Iranian system.

The Foreign Minister said the enemies had mistakenly believed that social cohesion in Iran had been weakened and had therefore prepared for a larger war.

Referring to the Ramadan War, Araghchi said the adversaries had believed they could force Iran to surrender within the first two days.

He noted that although the enemies martyred the Leader, the Islamic system was like a sapling that had grown into a sturdy tree, nourished by the blood of tens of thousands of martyrs.

He added that even with the loss of the Martyred Leader, the tree remained standing.

Araghchi stressed that the enemy’s attempts to change Iran’s government, partition the country or extinguish the fire of Iranian missiles had all failed, eventually leaving the adversaries with no choice but to negotiate.

Commenting on the historical legacy of the current era, Araghchi said that if future generations asked what their fathers had done at this historic juncture, they would answer that they had stood with all their might against the front formed against Iran.

He said this was no exaggeration, as the United States had deployed all its resources, while certain other countries had provided weapons, in confronting the Islamic Republic.

Referring to the regional security implications of the war, the Foreign Minister said one of its main outcomes was that regional countries had realized that the presence of US bases on their soil had failed to guarantee their security.

He added that these countries had realized that the United States primarily sought to support the Zionist regime rather than defend them.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araghchi said Iran would not tolerate any violation of the ceasefire and would not allow the enemy to believe that breaching agreements could become a habit.

Touching on the post-war diplomatic process, he said that following the conclusion of the war, three months of negotiations had resulted in a document that many around the world regarded as evidence of Iran’s victory in both the diplomatic and military arenas.

He said a key indicator of this victory was the opposing side’s inability to sustain the conditions for more than two weeks.

Araghchi stressed that there must be a clear understanding that Iran does not take its national security lightly.
Commenting on the country’s military readiness, he said Iranian fighters would respond to any fire initiated by the enemy.

He added that after 17 days, the adversaries, having lost hope of continuing the war, had resorted to economic pressure.

Regarding the impact of sanctions, the Foreign Minister said that although economic pressure imposed costs and losses on the country, the Islamic Republic of Iran would not “sell itself out.”

He stressed that just as Iran had stood firm against US sanctions during the Obama administration, it would resist new sanctions, adding that the imperialist nature and spirit of the United States remained unchanged regardless of whether the president was Obama or Trump.

Referring to Iran’s strategic approach toward the Muslim world, Araghchi said Iran sought constructive relations with all Islamic countries, particularly its neighbors, and was actively pursuing the expansion of economic ties.

He emphasized that Iran desired good-neighborly relations and constructive engagement with all countries in West Asia.

Commenting on Iran-Egypt relations, Araghchi said Iran desired good ties with Egypt and was ready to restore relations as soon as its counterparts in Egypt reached the same conclusion and expressed their readiness.

In response to a question from an Egyptian scholar, the Foreign Minister said the definitive answer should come from Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, but added that there was currently no basis for a dispute between Iran and Egypt.

Regarding Lebanon, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran sought positive relations with all Lebanese groups and factions and was ready to maintain good relations with the Lebanese government.

He further noted that Iran had always maintained positive ties with African countries and sought to expand and deepen those relations.

The 40th Islamic Unity Conference is underway in Tehran from August 27 to 30, with sideline meetings also being held in the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, as well as in Sunni-populated cities in West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Sistan and Baluchistan, Razavi Khorasan and Golestan provinces.