Iran Seeks Backing from China and Russia After U.S. Airstrikes
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment.
The summit highlights Tehran's growing relationship with Beijing - and Moscow - following its recent conflict with Israel, which was joined by the United States in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. China's support provides Iran with crucial economic and military backing that stands to weaken U.S.-led sanctions and containment efforts.
Araghchi proposed the establishment of "a permanent mechanism to monitor, document and coordinate responses to military aggression, acts of sabotage, state terrorism, and violations of national sovereignty of member states," he told the SCO meeting on Tuesday, according to Mehr News Agency.
In the meeting, Araghchi referred to recent Israeli and American strikes on Iran as an "act of aggression." He also suggested launching a regional security forum involving defense and intelligence agencies, the report added.
Araghchi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the event.
For Iran, SCO membership opens avenues for diplomatic and economic ties beyond the West, helping Tehran bypass its current isolation. Last week, Iran received a major diplomatic boost at the BRICS summit in Brazil following the Israel-U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities. China and Russia both signaled alignment, with Moscow calling the strikes "unprovoked."
While Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian said he is open to dialogue with the U.S., Iran has suspended cooperation with the international UN nuclear watchdog.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Mehr: "The attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against peaceful nuclear facilities were a flagrant violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), numerous International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 487 - which explicitly condemns and prohibits attacks on nuclear facilities under Agency safeguards."
Russia's Foreign Ministry: "The parties continued their exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They reiterated the imperative of resolving the crisis surrounding Iran's nuclear programme exclusively through political and diplomatic means, in strict compliance with international law."
Iran is bolstering its military capacities, showing concern of a renewed attack as no breakthrough has been made on diplomatic means. It is also seeking to strengthen diplomatic alliances, which brought little concrete when it came under attack.
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