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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Europe is paying the price for its miscalculations, just as the United States is, and called on European governments to face reality. Araghchi made the remarks at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran.

The two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, the conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen, security in the Caspian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, the South Caucasus and the war in Ukraine. Araghchi said diplomacy is the only way to resolve regional crises.

Araghchi criticizes European policies

Araghchi said Europe had taken part alongside the United States in attacks against Iran and referred to events in France. "Europe must face the facts; Europe, like the United States, is paying the price for its miscalculations. With their wrong policies, they are the cause of many wars and current problems in the world," Araghchi said.

Araghchi also said there is no solution to the crises in the region other than diplomacy and that problems cannot be resolved through military means.

Iran and Russia expand strategic partnership

Araghchi said the talks with Lavrov were positive and described the relationship between Iran and Russia as a strategic partnership. "After the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the leaders of Iran and Russia entered into force, our relations have gained more important dimensions," Araghchi said, adding that the two sides discussed ways to expand economic, trade, political and cultural cooperation. Economic cooperation between the two countries is progressing well, Araghchi said, and the two sides will continue their cooperation within BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Araghchi said the two ministers also discussed Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen and that Israeli attacks against Palestinians must stop.

Concerns over Caspian and Strait of Hormuz security

Referring to attacks on ships in the Caspian Sea from time to time, Araghchi said: "We are seriously concerned about the incidents in the Caspian Sea and about attacks on the ship and port infrastructure of Iran and Russia. We believe these developments are causing irreparable damage to peace in the region." Araghchi said insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz and the region stems from U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Araghchi welcomed initiatives by regional countries to ensure their own security and establish security mechanisms without the presence or intervention of foreign elements. "We are ready to hold consultations with regional countries to build an inclusive security architecture," Araghchi said.

Lavrov backs Iran and regional dialogue

Lavrov said the United States and Israel had attacked Iran without grounds and that Russia is ready to help end the crisis. Lavrov stressed that Russia wants navigational safety in the Persian Gulf guaranteed and that aggression against Iran not be repeated.

On Ukraine, Lavrov said both the Ukrainian leadership and some European countries were acting without seriousness, and thanked Iran for supporting the plans put forward by Russia. Lavrov said Russia is fulfilling its commitments to Iran and recalled that Russian experts and technical personnel are gradually returning to the Bushehr nuclear power plant project.

On the South Caucasus, Lavrov said problems there should be resolved within the region and that Iran and Russia are cooperating to advance the "3+3" regional cooperation format. Lavrov said Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, together with their neighbours Iran, Russia and Turkey, can take effective steps to strengthen regional security by using their capacities.

Key takeaways

• Araghchi said Europe, like the United States, is paying the price for its miscalculations and must face the facts.
• Iran and Russia pledged to deepen economic, trade, political and cultural ties under their strategic partnership agreement.
• Araghchi voiced serious concern about attacks on ships and port infrastructure in the Caspian Sea.
• Lavrov said Russia is ready to help end the crisis and wants aggression against Iran not to be repeated.