TEHRAN – Iran's Foreign Minister says an immediate halt to the crimes of the Israeli regime in Gaza and Lebanon can be the only thing that saves the West Asian region from a dangerous escalation of conflicts.

Abbas Araqchi made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in Baghdad on Sunday.

During their discussions, Araqchi referenced his recent travels to Beirut and Damascus, where he met with officials from neighboring countries. 

He expressed serious concern over the current volatile situation in the region, calling for all nations to bolster their efforts to end the aggression of the Israeli regime, particularly its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

In his remarks, Araqchi reiterated Iran's dedication to regional security and stability. He stressed the urgent need for an immediate halt to Israel's actions in both Gaza and Lebanon to prevent further escalation of violence. Additionally, he highlighted the role of the United States and other countries that supply arms to Israel, underscoring their responsibility in this conflict.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani resonated with Araqchi's concerns, emphasizing the importance of fostering dialogue between Iraq, Iran, and other regional states to prevent a potential full-scale conflict. 

He articulated the need for urgent and coordinated action from the international community and reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to supporting the Palestinian and Lebanese people against what he described as the genocide and aggression of the Israeli regime.

In addition to his meeting with Al-Sudani, Araqchi held discussions with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. This round of talks is part of Araqchi’s broader diplomatic tour of the region, which has already included visits to Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

Iran fully prepared for war but strives for peace: FM

During a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Hussein in Baghdad, Araqchi stated, "We are fully prepared for a war situation. We are not afraid of war, but we do not want it. Our priority is to work for a just peace in Gaza and Lebanon." He further explained that while Iran is ready for any situation, its firm position remains one of seeking peace and stability.

Both diplomats agreed on the pressing need to halt Israel's military actions and restore peace in Gaza and Lebanon. Araqchi emphasized that the ongoing crisis has dangerous implications, stating, "The situation is alarming, and we face very dangerous challenges in our region." He noted that Israel's actions are the root cause of the instability spreading from Gaza to Lebanon and beyond.

Araqchi expressed regret over the international community's insufficient response to the plight of displaced people affected by the violence, noting that Israeli operations have obstructed humanitarian assistance. He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese population and Palestinian refugees in Syria through various means.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein conveyed Iraq's opposition to any escalation of conflict that might involve Iran. He condemned the potential use of Iraqi airspace by Israel for military operations, declaring that such actions would be "completely unacceptable." Hussein underscored that any war in the region would have serious consequences for stability and peace.

====== Araqchi to leave for Oman

Following his time in Baghdad, Araqchi will proceed to Oman to engage in talks with his Omani counterpart aimed at addressing regional tensions.

Prior to the visit to Iraq, Araghchi has been to Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

He also went to Turkmenistan along with President Masoud Pezeshkian on a state visit.

====== Tehran denies sending ballistic missiles to Russia

In a related development, Araqchi strongly denied allegations that Iran supplied ballistic missiles to Russia amid reports that the European Union is considering sanctions against the Islamic Republic based on these claims. 

In a social media post, he reiterated, "We have NOT provided ballistic missiles to Russia," and stressed that military cooperation between Iran and Russia is not a new phenomenon, having existed long before the current geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine.

The foreign minister criticized European nations for their hypocrisy in supplying advanced weaponry to Israel while targeting Iran. He suggested that if Europe seeks to appease Israeli interests, it should not fabricate narratives about Iran's missile capabilities.

These tensions have intensified recently, particularly as the United States and European countries have imposed new sanctions on Iran's national airline, Iran Air, for its alleged role in transferring missiles to Russia. Iranian officials maintain that these accusations are unfounded and part of a broader strategy to justify punitive measures against Iran.

The backdrop to these developments is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia's military invasion in February 2022. Iran has consistently maintained a neutral stance in this conflict, refusing to take sides while facing repeated accusations from Western governments of supplying arms to Moscow.