Iran war live: Trump denies Iran talks, Tehran claims US ‘begging’
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran’s foreign policy under President Masoud Pezeshkian has prioritised neighbouring countries, describing efforts to reduce regional tensions and expand ties in an interview with Iranian state television.
Speaking during the broadcast, Araghchi said that “under Dr Pezeshkian’s administration, greater priority was given to neighbouring countries,” adding that this approach requires “eliminating any tension in relations with each of our neighbours” and pursuing what he called a policy of “provincial diplomacy” alongside broader neighbourhood engagement.
Araghchi credited direct dialogue with Azerbaijan’s president for demonstrating that “through dialogue and interaction, it is possible to achieve results that cannot be achieved through tension, quarrels and interference.” He also praised neighbouring countries for assistance during recent unrest, saying some had supplied goods and medicine, allowed stranded Iranians to return home through their territory, and permitted Iranian aircraft to use their airspace.
Araghchi said Iran had rejected calls for a ceasefire in the early stages of what he referred to as a 12-day war, saying: “We do not want a ceasefire; we want an end to the war.” He pointed out that Iran does not want the conflict, which he said had paused before resuming months later, “to become a pattern that is repeated in our country.”
