In a meeting on the sidelines of the second day of the BRICS foreign ministers’ gathering in New Delhi on Friday, Araqchi and his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and multilateral cooperation.

Araqchi expressed appreciation for South Africa’s constructive and positive positions regarding the 40-day war of aggression imposed by the US and the Zionist regime against Iran.

He stated that during the conflict, Iran was attacked in the middle of negotiations, while the opposing side declared its objective to be the “unconditional surrender” of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

However, Araqchi said, neither that objective nor other declared goals were achieved, and the adversary was forced to request a ceasefire from the second week of the war.

Referring to South Africa’s stance in support of the Palestinian people, Araqchi said Benjamin Netanyahu is a “war criminal” responsible for the killing of tens of thousands in Gaza and thousands more in Lebanon and other parts of the region, and warned that the Israeli prime minister is still seeking to plunge the region into a new war.

For his part, Lamola referred to the long-standing and positive relations between the two countries and recalled his recent visit to Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

He also highlighted the difficulties arising from recent regional developments for countries around the world, particularly in Africa, including impacts on energy supplies, fertilizers, and other essential goods.

Lamola expressed hope for the return of peace and stability to the region and reiterated South Africa’s strong support for a diplomatic path to resolving international disputes and tensions, especially in West Asia.