The Statement by Dr. Araghchi the Minister of Foreign Affairs of I.R. Iran Addressing the Foreign Ambassadors Residing in Tehran

In His Name, the Most High

The text of the Statement by Dr. Araghchi, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs of I.R. Iran

Addressing the Foreign Ambassadors Residing in Tehran

Tehran, October 29, 2024

Dear Participants;

Honorable Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic missions residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Heads of Offices of the United Nations and other International Organizations in Tehran;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Thank you for accepting the invitation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and attending this meeting.

On Saturday morning, October 26, 2024, the Zionist regime displayed a new chapter of its warlike and evil nature and once again took an extremely dangerous step in the path of escalating tension, instability and crisis in the West Asian region. The hostile fighter aircrafts of the Israeli regime, in a clear act of aggression and contrary to all international laws and regulations and in gross violation of the United Nations Charter, using the airspace at the disposal of the American army in a neighboring country, and from a distance, fired a number of long-range and air-launched missiles at some of our country's military targets in the provinces of Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran.

Thanks to the readiness and vigilance exercised by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the timely performance of the country's air defense, only a limited amount of damage was rendered to some of the struck areas, and the necessary measures were immediately taken to bring the damaged equipment back to the operational circuit. In fact, given the full preparedness of the country's air defense, a significant number of hostile missiles were tracked and intercepted, and the enemy aircrafts were prevented from entering our airspace. Regretfully, in these attacks, 4 members of the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as one civilian were martyred.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was successful in neutralizing the air aggression launched by the Zionist regime and foiled the regime in achieving its ominous operational goals and proved yet again that it is pretty much capable of defending and protecting its borders by relying on national and indigenous power and capacity. However, the assailant Zionist regime and its enablers cannot avoid the political and legal responsibility of this clear act of aggression and must be held accountable for it.

This military incursion proved once again that the Israeli regime is a rogue and evil regime whose survival is directly tied to creating crises, belligerence and war-mongering in the region.

As we had previously warned in various ways, the Islamic Republic of Iran, insisting on the inherent right of self-defense according to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has fully reserved its legal right to respond appropriately to such a clear aggression, and the Israeli regime will bear the consequences of its miscalculations regarding the might, resolve and adeptness of the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, in doing so, the Islamic Republic of Iran will neither hesitate nor act hastily.

Here, I would like to express my gratitude to all the peace-loving countries of the region and others who by realizing the severity of the situation, expressed their disgust and condemned the aggressive action of the occupying Israeli regime. On the other hand, I deeply regret the silence or support shown by some countries, emboldening the Zionist regime to go ahead with its crimes.

Dear Audience, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Unlike the ruling regime of Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek tension, conflict and war in any way and extends its hands to establish a constructive, fraternal and honest relationship with the regional countries aiming to establish stability, security and peace in the region. Our message, which was clearly explained to the officials of these countries during my periodic visits to the countries of the region in the last three weeks, is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security against any aggression and the great Iranian nation is fully prepared to establish peace in the region and engage in constructive interaction with its neighbors. The 14th government, under the leadership of the President Pezeshkian, is steadfastly committed to resolving misunderstandings and concerns and improving the atmosphere of cooperation, coordination and synergy within the framework of the good neighborliness policy, and pursues this approach with utmost seriousness and resolve.

Over the past year, the Islamic Republic of Iran has made every effort to stop the military onslaught of the Israeli regime against the oppressed Palestinian nation and has not spared any opportunity, initiative or endeavor in various diplomatic fields to end the conflict, violence and atrocities. In this direction and with the aim of establishing a just ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza, providing humanitarian aid to the displaced people of Lebanon and Palestine and preventing the spread of the war to the entire region, which will affect everyone if it happens, diplomatic consultations, including on the sidelines of the 79th  meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Asian Dialogue Forum in Doha, Qatar, the BRICS summit in Russia, the 3+3 meeting in Turkey, as well as my recent intensive trips to eleven countries in the region have been very high on the agenda of the diplomatic apparatus of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It is a matter of pleasure to announce that a common understanding has been formed among all the countries of the region regarding the risk of spreading the crisis and the need for immediate and collective action by the influential regional and extra-regional countries to establish a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.

We believe that the boundless immunity of the Israeli regime and its impunity in the face of widespread crimes in the Gaza Strip and the widespread and comprehensive political, military and economic support offered generously by some its Western supporters, especially the United States of America, have led to the intensification of bellicose and expansionist spirit of Zionist Regime emboldening it to enlarge the scope of the war to Lebanon, which has seriously jeopardized regional and international peace and security. Ignoring the provisional order issued by the International Court of Justice and the Court's insistence to stop committing illegal acts, the Israeli regime continues its actions in Gaza and Lebanon, which are clear examples of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Distinguished Colleagues,

At the current critical and decisive juncture, the Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly underscored the need for collective diplomatic efforts to stop the aggressions and crimes of the Zionist regime and calls on the members of the international community to take immediate and decisive measures to stop the attacks, bombings and killings of innocent people in Gaza and Lebanon as well as to take immediate care of the dire situation of people and refugees and facilitate relief and humanitarian assistance in the said areas.

By reminding the responsibility born by each and every member state of the United Nations, member states of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, as well as the member states of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, we call for immediate and collective action against gross violations of international law and the United Nations Charter, Genocide Convention, and international humanitarian law. We demand immediate, effective and decisive action by the international community to curb the hostile aggressions of the Zionist regime.

We are of the firm belief that the region will not see peace until the aggression in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon is stopped. We have provided a logical and operational solution for a sustainable, just and inclusive solution in the region, which is based on the recognition of the inherent rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Based on this approach, we believe that the lasting solution for the Palestinian issue is a democratic one, for Palestinian lands belong to the Palestinian people, and therefore any decision about the future of Palestine must be made by its original inhabitants, including Muslims, Christians and Jews.

On Lebanon, we believe that the realities on the ground and the geography of the country should be given through attention. Hezbollah and the Lebanese resistance are rooted in the people of the country and cannot be destroyed. All actors must work ceaselessly to immediately put a stop to the war in Lebanon and Palestine, and to reach a favorable diplomatic result ensuring the legitimate interests and demands of the Lebanese and Palestinian nations. Plans that only incorporate the interests of the Zionist regime will definitely be doomed to failure.

Undoubtedly, the continuation of the genocide in the Gaza Strip and the aggression of the Zionist regime against Lebanon and Syria and the repetition of the military adventures of the regime in other parts pose a serious threat to international peace and security, and on this basis, the Security Council is obliged to intervene and act against the insistence of this regime to go on with the war and bloodshed it has started in Gaza and Lebanon. Moreover and according to the seventh chapter of the United Nations Charter, severe sanctions should be imposed against this regime. The United States' support for the Zionist regime in the Security Council is the main obstacle to the Council's action in dealing with the regime's actions against international law, which needs to come to an end. We expect other countries to play an effective and constructive role in protecting the security of the region in response to the adventures and military-terrorist evils of the Israeli regime.

In conclusion, I thank you once again for attending this meeting.