Abbas Aragchi. Photo: Collected
Bangla Press Desk: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that any external interference in the navigation of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz will complicate the situation and delay the process of reopening it.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in Baghdad, he made it clear that Iran's maritime management decisions cannot be subject to any external pressure or interference. Any attempt by any party to impose new measures will only complicate matters.
Iran's top diplomat said this was his first visit to Iraq since the US and Israeli wars of aggression and that the visit was taking place in a very special and sensitive context. He thanked Iraq for condemning the attack on Iran and for the strong support shown by the country's government and people.
Araghchi outlined three main objectives of his visit, including expressing gratitude to Iraq, congratulating the new Iraqi government, and coordinating the funeral and burial ceremonies of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala, Samarra and Kadhimiya.
In addition to discussing bilateral political, economic and security cooperation, Araghchi briefed the Iraqi Foreign Minister on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon. He said that under a mutual understanding, the Strait of Hormuz will return to its pre-crisis normal state within the next 30 days, and Iran will be fully responsible for its management.
No other country or organization has any authority in this matter. He also noted that a new framework free from external forces is needed to ensure regional security, and Tehran welcomes Iraq's proposal for a regional dialogue involving Iran and Iraq with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to this end. Source: Mehr News.
BP/TD
