Iranian South African Foreign Ministers meet on BRICS sidelines discuss post-war developments

Seylyed Abbas Araghchi Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Ronald Lamola Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa met today on the sidelines of the second day of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in New Delhi. They discussed bilateral relations regional developments and multilateral cooperation.

Seylyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Ronald Lamola, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, met today on the sidelines of the second day of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. They discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and multilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, Iran's Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for the constructive and positive positions of the South African government regarding the 40-day imposed war and the atrocities committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people.

Araghchi, while explaining the developments related to the war and ceasefire, stated: "In the middle of negotiations, Iran was attacked, and the other side declared its objective to be the unconditional surrender of the Islamic Republic of Iran. But neither that objective nor their other declared goals were achieved, and by the second week of the war, they were forced to request a ceasefire."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Iran's Foreign Minister, referring to South Africa's positions in support of the Palestinian people, asserted: "Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal responsible for the killing of tens of thousands in Gaza and thousands in Lebanon and elsewhere in the region. He continues to seek to drag the region into a new war."

South Africa's Foreign Minister, referring to the longstanding good relations between the two countries and recalling memories of his recent trip to Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian, pointed to the difficulties caused by recent regional developments for various countries around the world, particularly in Africa, including in the areas of energy, chemical fertilizers, and other basic needs.

He also expressed hope for the return of peace and stability to the region and emphasized South Africa's firm support for the diplomatic path to resolve international issues and disputes, especially in the West Asia region.