Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, in a phone conversation with his Dutch counterpart Ms. Hanke Bruins Slot on Friday, discussed the latest in ties between the two countries and the regional developments.
While stressing her country’s historical relations with Iran, Ms. Bruins Slot once again slammed the recent terrorist act in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman.
The Dutch foreign minister also expressed the Netherlands’ stance on Iran’s move to target terrorists in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, calling on both sides to show restraint.
Meanwhile, putting the long history of Iran’s bilateral relations with the Netherlands in perspective, Amirabdollahian stressed on joint efforts by both countries to improve their ties in the bilateral, regional and international spheres.
The Iranian foreign minister also underscored the need for the Netherlands to take appropriate and effective measures to combat terrorism.
He said, “Some of the terrorist operations in Iran, which led to the martyrdom of innocent Iranian people, were plotted in and carried out from the espionage and terrorism headquarters based in Iraq’s Kurdistan.”
“Naturally, the Islamic Republic of Iran took the measure to effectively deal with terrorism and it was within the framework of international law and based on the legitimate defense,” he added.
While pointing to the strategic ties between Tehran and Baghdad, Amirabdollahian stated that Iran respects Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity .
He further noted, “Iran’s priority is to maintain national security as a red line which cannot be compromised.”
In reaction to remarks by his Dutch counterpart, the Iranian foreign minister stated, “We do not have any evidence proving that a child was killed in the Mossad terrorist headquarters in northern Iraq, but we draw the attention of the Dutch government to the genocide and massacre of thousands of Palestinian women and children in Gaza.”
The consular issues between the two countries were also discussed during the talks. Furthermore, both sides stressed on the need to continue their talks and mutual cooperation.