Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed today, Saturday, that Iran will defend its people, sovereignty, and legitimate interests, pointing out that the insecurity and disruption of navigation since then are a direct result of the aggressive acts committed by the United States and Israel.
Araghchi stated in a speech during the fifty-second session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in Baghdad, which was followed by the "Video News Agency," that "first, I would like to thank the government of the Republic of Iraq and its people, the neighboring and brotherly country, for hosting this meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and for the warm welcome and generosity. We are pleased to gather in a land that has historically been a meeting point for cultural interactions, at a time when unity and dialogue in the Islamic world are more necessary than ever. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation was founded with the aim of creating a common voice for the Islamic nation, and to promote solidarity, cooperation, and to defend common interests."
He added, "Keeping channels of dialogue open between us is not a sign of weakness, but rather a responsibility. The charter of our organization is based on principles that reflect the principles of the United Nations Charter, which are: equality of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, and refraining from the threat or use of force. These principles do not belong to any state or group of states; they protect all of us, but they lose their value if applied selectively."
He pointed out that "Iran has been steadfast in its commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter and diplomacy, and over the past two years, we have continued to seek diplomatic solutions, while the United States has chosen an opposite path, characterized by aggression, threats, assassinations, and economic warfare, in a clear disregard for international law and the United Nations Charter."
He continued: "About five thousand people have been martyred, including hundreds of women and children, during the American and Israeli military aggression against Iran. The United States and the Zionist entity have committed a gross violation of international law by assassinating the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a number of senior political and military officials."
He noted that "the martyrdom of over 160 students and teachers in Minab, the attack with cluster bombs on a stadium in Lamerd, the bombing of a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, and the attack on a wedding party in Kohestak in Sirik are just documented examples of American-Zionist war crimes against Iran."
He added: "The United States and the Zionist entity cannot conceal these crimes by distorting facts and switching the roles of victim and aggressor. I thank the member states that have expressed their solidarity with the Iranian people during these difficult days, and I call on the entire organization to take a firm stance regarding the attacks targeting the sovereignty of one of its founding members and its territorial integrity."
He affirmed that "Iran will defend its people, sovereignty, and legitimate interests. However, there is no contradiction between defending our rights and seeking peace. We recognize the extent of the damages caused by war, and for this very reason, we value peace, and Iran does not demand any special treatment, but rather calls for equal application of rights and responsibilities for all. This issue cannot be resolved on the battlefield, nor can peace be built through the threat of extermination."
He clarified that "Iran is also committed to safe and secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for energy and trade for many member states of our organization, which was open and completely safe until February 28, 2026," indicating that "the insecurity and disruption of navigation since then are a direct result of the aggressive actions committed by the United States and the Israeli entity, and security cannot be restored by repeating previous mistakes and crimes. One cannot bomb a country, threaten it with extermination, impose a blockade on it, and then expect the return of navigation security to normal."
He added that "in fact, diplomacy has been yielding results. Thanks to the good offices of Pakistan, supported by Qatar, both of which are member states of this organization, Iran and the United States signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, under which, based on its fifth article, Iran pledged to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the safe passage of ships, and we immediately initiated technical talks with the Sultanate of Oman to implement this commitment."
He concluded by stating, "Within two weeks, maritime navigation returned to about 60% of its pre-war levels. However, unilateral American actions and military aggression prevented the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, and the dispute resolution mechanisms stipulated therein were also ignored."