In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Araqchi and his Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu discussed the latest regional developments in the shadow of the unprovoked military aggression that the United States and the Israeli regime have imposed on Iran.
Araqchi made it clear that Iran is determined to defend itself resolutely against aggression. He also called on the international community to act responsibly, condemn the brazen violation of the UN Charter by aggressors, and hold the US and Israel accountable for their crimes.
He explained that Iran’s counterattacks on the bases and facilities of aggressors in the region, which have been used as the source of strikes on Iran, comply with the Islamic Republic’s legitimate right to self-defense, stressing that such measures should by no means be considered as attack on the countries hosting US bases.
Denouncing the US’ sinister plans to entangle other countries in the war under the pretext of helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Araqchi warned that any participation in US-Israeli aggression will amount to complicity in aggression and heinous crimes.
For his part, Motegi outlined Japan’s views about the consequences of the US and Israeli attacks on the region, stressing the need for diplomatic de-escalation of tensions.
The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked military campaign against Iran following the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.
The attacks have involved extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran, causing significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.
In response, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting American and Israeli positions in the occupied territories and at regional bases with waves of missiles and drones.