WANA (Jul 31) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held separate telephone conversations on Friday with British Foreign Secretary Miliband and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss bilateral relations as well as the latest regional and international developments.

 

During the call with his Indian counterpart, Minister Jaishankar, which took place on Friday afternoon, Araghchi reviewed key aspects of Tehran–New Delhi relations alongside pressing regional issues.

 

In a parallel discussion with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, the two top diplomats focused on bilateral topics and pressing global affairs.

 

During the call, Araghchi strongly criticized Britain’s recent policies, particularly its decision to designate the Iranian armed forces as a terrorist organization and its alleged complicity in conflicts involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran. He urged London to reconsider its stance, calling the measures “unjustified.”

 

Araghchi pointed to past military action by the U.S. and Israel as the root cause of current regional instability. He stated that Iran had entered diplomatic discussions in good faith, reaching an understanding to end hostillities on June 18, but claimed Washington reneged on the agreement and blocked its implementation.

 

Addressing maritime security, Araghchi emphasized Iran’s resolve to establish operational mechanisms in cooperation with Oman to manage ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that interference by third parties would only escalate the situation.

 

He further warned that any state assisting aggressors—even under the guise of pre-existing defense pacts—would be acting in violation of international law. Araghchi noted that under the UN definition of aggression, allowing national territory or military assets to be used for unlawful attacks renders that state complicit and grants Iran the legal right to self-defense.

 

For his part, Foreign Secretary Miliband outlined the posture of the British government, asserting, “We are not part of a war with Iran, and we believe in diplomacy to resolve issues.” Miliband stressed the necessity of sustained diplomatic engagement with Tehran to ease regional tensions and improve bilateral ties.