Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has sharply criticized the United Kingdom for granting military bases to the United States, stating that the move amounts to participating in aggression against Iran.
During a phone call with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper, Araqchi said the decision would be recorded in the history of bilateral relations. He called on British officials to “refrain from any cooperation with Washington and the Israeli entity in the military and media fields, including providing a platform for the activities of terrorist networks.”
Araqchi stressed that Tehran has the full right to respond to aggression, which he said violates international norms. He emphasized Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty and independence, asserting that the American‑Israeli aggression against Iran contravenes all international principles and norms.
He pointed out that the aggression had targeted the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior officials, and a large number of innocent civilians, including more than 170 schoolgirls at a primary school.
The Iranian minister described the approach of Britain and some European countries toward the aggression as “negative and biased,” criticizing their condemnation of Iran’s response while ignoring attacks such as the strike on the Pars oil facilities.
Araqchi also expressed regret over the presence of American bases in regional countries, stating that Tehran respects the sovereignty of its neighbors and had no intention of attacking them. He asserted that regional countries have failed to fulfill their international responsibility to prevent their territories from being used to launch attacks against the Islamic Republic.
He further warned that any support or leniency toward what he called a blatant violation of international law would be considered complicity in crimes committed against the Iranian people.
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)