Iran does not want its conflict with Israel to expand to neighbouring countries unless the situation is forced, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday, adding its response had been based on self-defence.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Reuters/Mohamed Azakir
Iran does not want its conflict with Israel to expand to neighbouring countries unless the situation is forced, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday, adding its response had been based on self-defence.
Araqchi said Tehran had been responding to foreign aggression, and that if this aggression stopped, Iranian reactions would also cease.
The foreign minister said the Israeli strikes on the offshore South Pars gas field Iran shares with Qatar were "a blatant aggression and a very dangerous act".
"Dragging the conflict to the Persian Gulf is a strategic mistake, and its aim is to drag the war beyond Iranian territory," he said.
The foreign minister accused Israel of seeking to sabotage ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, which according to him could have opened the way for an agreement. Tehran was set to present a proposal this Sunday during a sixth round of talks, which were cancelled following recent escalations.
"Israel's attack would never have happened without the U.S. green light and support," Araqchi said, adding Tehran does not believe American statements that Washington had taken no part in recent attacks.
"It is necessary for the United States to condemn Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if they want to prove their goodwill."
Reporting by Dubai Newsroom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had ordered troops to move further into Lebanon in the battle against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has demanded an emergency UN Security Council meeting following Israel's seizure of Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, calling it a "major fault" and accusing Israel of violating international law and ceasefire commitments.
President Donald Trump announced that Iran has committed to never obtaining a nuclear weapon, whether by building or buying one, marking a potentially significant breakthrough in negotiations to end the US-Iran war.
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