Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: 'We are fully prepared for a state of war'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the rising military tensions with Israel during a press conference held with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, stating, “We are fully prepared for a state of war and we are not afraid of war. However, we are not seeking war. We are working for a just peace in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, as part of a tour of Gulf countries. Araghchi met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. The two later held a joint press conference. Stating that the region is going through a sensitive period due to Israeli attacks, Araghchi said, “In a period when the region is dangerous and sensitive, we needed to consult with regional countries like Iraq. Cooperation and communication between Tehran and Baghdad have always continued on important regional and international developments, including bilateral relations.”

“WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF WAR”

Addressing the rising military tension with Israel, Araghchi said, “We are fully prepared for a state of war and we are not afraid of war. However, we are not seeking war either. We are working for a just peace in Gaza and Lebanon. We are of the same mind with our friends, especially Iraq, on the issues of stopping the Zionist Israeli regime and ensuring a ceasefire in the region.”

“THE SOURCE OF TENSION IN THE REGION IS THE ZIONIST ISRAELI REGIME”

Warning that military tension in the region is high and that conflicts could spread, Araghchi said, “The source of the increasing military tension in the region is the Zionist Israeli regime, which launched an occupation against Gaza and Lebanon. The current military tension could drag the region into a large-scale war. The Zionist regime's attacks on Lebanon and Gaza must be stopped.”

“WE WILL CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH THE BAGHDAD ADMINISTRATION”

Stating that they attach importance to the stance of the Baghdad administration in the face of a possible Israeli retaliation against Iran, Araghchi said, “It is gratifying to hear directly from the Iraqi Foreign Minister that Iraq will not open its airspace to any country for an operation against Iran. We will continue to cooperate with the Baghdad administration in all areas, especially in diplomacy.”

Hussein warns of a global crisis

In his statement, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein emphasized that the Iraqi government has issued warnings against the spread of war, pointing out that Israel's attacks on Lebanon could lead to a new war. Expressing that the spread of conflicts in the region could negatively affect maritime transport and create an energy crisis, Hussein warned that this situation could threaten energy resources and create a global crisis. Stating that the continuation of the war in Gaza and Lebanon threatens the security and stability of the region, Hussein reiterated that the Iraqi government will not allow the country's airspace to be used for war purposes. Warning that the region is going through a dangerous turning point and that the ongoing tension could lead to the risk of a large-scale war, Hussein stated that Israel's attacks on Gaza and Lebanon must be stopped and that his country is making efforts to ensure peace and establish a ceasefire.

“We are against the use of Iraqi airspace against Iran”

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein stated that they are against Israel moving the war to Iran, saying, “We are against the use of Iraqi airspace against Iran.” Stating that Israel's ongoing attacks in Gaza and Lebanon have led to a major humanitarian tragedy in the region, Hussein said that thousands of Lebanese have been forced to migrate to Syria and Iraq due to the attacks on Beirut.

“All our efforts are aimed at preventing war”

Hussein said, “We will continue to stand by the people of Palestine and Lebanon. Our doors are open to our brothers and sisters coming from Lebanon and Palestine. As Iraq, we had warned that the war could spread to the region due to Israeli attacks. Israel is openly threatening Iran with war and declaring that it will hit specified targets in a neighboring country. These threats by Israel also put Iraq face-to-face with the danger of war. All our efforts are aimed at preventing war.”

News Source: 12punto