Araghchi made these remarks during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported today.

According to the official statement, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations as well as various regional and international issues.

During the meeting, Araghchi noted that the current insecurity in the region and the Strait of Hormuz is the result of “attacks carried out by the United States and Israel with the support and cooperation of certain European countries”—actions which, he asserted, cause serious harm to Iran, the region, and the world.

The Iranian Foreign Minister maintained that achieving lasting security and stability in the Middle East requires ending the Israeli occupation and guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination.

The head of Iranian diplomacy rejected interference in the internal affairs of other countries and the use of human rights as an instrument of political pressure, deeming such practices “absolutely unacceptable.”

He further stated that the “comprehensive and sustained” military and political backing provided by Great Britain and other European countries constitutes, in his view, a factor in the escalation of Israeli actions against Palestinians and other countries in the region.

Araghchi ultimately maintained that Great Britain and other states have obligations, under relevant international agreements, to investigate and sanction Israeli officials whom he held responsible for alleged acts of genocide and war crimes.

jdt/rc/mche