Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who has traveled to Lisbon to attend the 10th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum this Tuesday afternoon, presented Iran’s perspective on peace and regional developments.
Araghchi highlighted the centrality of tolerance and coexistence in Iranian culture and civilization. He emphasized that Iran, as a nation enriched by a profound and enduring heritage, has consistently championed dialogue and engagement to promote peace and coexistence among nations. Araghchi described forums like the UN Alliance of Civilizations as vital opportunities to reinforce collaboration and understanding among diverse cultures and societies.
Addressing the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe stemming from the genocide and mass killing of the Palestinian people, Araghchi expressed severe criticism of the inaction of international institutions in the face of 14 months of continuous atrocities committed by the Zionist regime. He stated, “The brutality and crimes of the Zionist regime present a profound test for the international community, yet institutions such as the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court have failed to fulfill their fundamental responsibilities in addressing grave violations of international law and human rights.”
Araghchi asserted that achieving global peace and stability is unattainable without addressing the current humanitarian crisis in West Asia. He underscored that the Zionist regime’s decades-long agenda to obliterate the Palestinian nation demands immediate and collective action from the international community to halt this colonial and racist project.
He also reminded the responsibility of the Zionist regime’s supporters regarding crimes committed by the regime and stressed that the United States and other countries providing military and political backing to Israel are accomplices in its crimes.
These countries, Araghchi stressed, must be held accountable for their role in enabling such atrocities.
Condemning the Zionist regime's long-standing misuse of the concept of "anti-Semitism" to silence criticism and dissent against its aggressive and expansionist policies, Araghchi argued that peace in West Asia necessitates the realization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the dismantling of occupation and apartheid structures.
Araghchi called for the full implementation of the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice regarding the prevention of genocide against Palestinians and demanded the immediate enforcement of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime. He concluded by asserting, “Without decisive and practical measures to hold the Zionist regime accountable and curb its lawlessness, the credibility and dignity of the United Nations and its noble values will remain irreparably compromised.”