Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran wants to expand its relations with the Islamic world on the basis of unity, adding that the country attaches particular importance to its neighbors.
Speaking with guests on Friday during the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference, Araghchi said Iran aims to strengthen its political relations with all Muslim states. He added that they also want to develop economic ties with all Muslim countries.
Relations with Egypt and Lebanon
The Iranian minister said there was no basis for a dispute between Tehran and Cairo. Araghchi said Iran was ready to establish good relations with Egypt, adding that Iran would take the same position if Egyptian officials decided to restore relations and were ready to do so.
Regarding Lebanon, Araghchi said Iran wants to establish good relations with all political groups and formations and is ready to develop ties with the Lebanese government. Araghchi said Iran did not approve of some Lebanese government policies and expressed hope that Lebanon's Foreign Ministry would adopt a more rational approach.
Africa and regional tensions
Araghchi argued that Iran should also advance its traditionally good relations with African states. Reiterating the Iranian Foreign Minister's goal of expanding ties with the Muslim world, he said the approach was based on unity.
Speaking about military tensions in the region, Araghchi said Iran had targeted U.S. positions in neighboring countries in response to U.S. attacks. Araghchi said Tehran had not attacked any Muslim country or neighbor and had informed those states in advance that U.S. bases and targets in regional countries would be struck if the United States attacked Iran.
The Iranian minister said that during the war, Iranian forces would strike any American target, U.S. base or facility in the region, as well as locations where U.S. troops were gathered. He described the attacks by the United States and Israel as “illegitimate attacks” and Iran's response as “legitimate self-defense.”
Implementation of the Iran-U.S. agreement
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have remained high since late February, when the war began with attacks on Iran. Iran responded by targeting U.S. military positions and assets in Arab countries aligned with Washington.
Iran and the United States signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding in Islamabad on June 18, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, with the aim of ending the clashes and paving the way for negotiations. However, implementation of the memorandum later encountered difficulties, and Tehran accused Washington of failing to fulfill its commitments.
After the United States resumed military attacks against Iran in July, Iran also carried out new retaliatory attacks.
