WANA (Jul 26) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated today (Saturday, July 26) that the recent 12-day war clearly demonstrated who truly believes in diplomacy, and who resorts to force, bullying, and domination. “This war confirmed the legitimacy of the Iranian people and revealed the genuine face of diplomacy,” he said.

 

In a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior diplomatic officials, Araghchi reviewed the performance of Iran’s diplomatic apparatus during and after the 12-day conflict.

 

“The entire Foreign Ministry stood alongside our armed forces. This war was a clear example of the coordination between the battlefield and diplomacy,” he stated.

 

He continued: “Our armed forces bravely defended the country, while the soldiers of diplomacy were fully engaged on the international front. At 6 a.m. on June 13, the day of the attack, senior officials were already present at the Ministry. Some staff even remained overnight during the war to sustain around-the-clock engagement.”

Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s diplomatic efforts focused on defending the Iranian people’s right to self-defense against an unprovoked and blatant act of aggression. He added that while the Foreign Ministry represents only one arm of the government, the administration as a whole performed exceptionally well.

 

“What forced the enemy to retreat and request a ceasefire without preconditions was not only the military resistance but also the outstanding governance and crisis management of the administration, which ensured that not a single flaw or breakdown occurred. The state’s performance was exemplary,” he noted.

 

The Foreign Minister stressed that during the 12-day war, “our diplomats carried out a vast array of actions, including extensive outreach, global coordination, and direct engagement with over 120 countries around the world, resulting in widespread condemnation of the attacks and expressions of solidarity with Iran.”

 

Araghchi added: “Apart from the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors—whose positions are predictable—virtually every major international and regional organization voiced support for Iran. These included the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Persian  Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, the African Union, and many world leaders.

People attend a gathering to support Iran’s Armed Forces following the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, in Tehran, Iran, June 24, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Their statements reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Iranian people, particularly as Iran was attacked while actively engaged in diplomatic negotiations. This proved beyond doubt who stands for diplomatic resolution of international issues—and who instead relies on coercion and domination. Iran’s position during these 12 days was validated and recognized.”**

 

He concluded by affirming that the Foreign Ministry’s efforts on the international stage are continuing, including ongoing documentation of war crimes in cooperation with the Presidential Legal Affairs Office.

 

“In recent days, the Foreign Ministry has also been actively addressing the situation in Gaza. We’ve held several coordinated phone calls aimed at halting atrocities, including the use of starvation as a weapon and blockading food and medical aid to extract political concessions in ceasefire negotiations. However, thanks to the steadfast resistance of the people of Gaza, these attempts have failed too,” Araghchi said.