Iran's Foreign Minister stated today that Iran has demonstrated it will not submit to what he described as U.S. bullying and will never respond to the language of force, pressure, or threats. He added: "We are neither afraid of threats nor will we yield to pressure, nor will we tolerate inappropriate rhetoric. Safeguarding the interests and rights of the Iranian people in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf is among our fundamental principles and objectives, and we will continue to pursue them."
Speaking at the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said:
"The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a progressive organization comprising many of the major countries in our region that seek to counter the unilateral policies of the United States, the West, and Western institutions that attempt to impose their hegemonic policies on international relations. It provides a forum for exchanging views and discussing better global governance and confronting America's unilateral policies."
He added that the discussions at today's meeting were largely focused on addressing the unilateral policies of the United States and the West.
Regarding his meetings with the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Russia, and China, Araghchi said:
"Consultations with Russia and China are ongoing and continuous. Whenever opportunities arise—whether through face-to-face meetings, telephone conversations, or via our ambassadors—we remain in regular contact with our friends in China and Russia. Today was another valuable opportunity, and I held extensive meetings with Wang Yi and Sergey Lavrov, during which we discussed many issues in considerable detail."
Speaking about Pakistan, he stated:
"Naturally, with Pakistan acting as a mediator between us and the United States, we discussed various initiatives and proposals that have been put forward. At present, the issue between Iran and the United States is not the absence of a mediator. A mediator exists, messages are being exchanged, and each side's views are being conveyed. The real problem lies in the United States' approach of bullying and coercion."
Araghchi reiterated:
"Iran has demonstrated that it will not bow to U.S. bullying and will never respond to the language of force, pressure, or threats."
The foreign minister further said:
"The President of the United States has tested this repeatedly and has seen the result. He has posted tweets and made statements, only to change his position the following day. We are neither afraid of threats nor will we submit to pressure, nor will we tolerate improper language. We have principled policies, and we will continue to follow them. Protecting the interests and rights of the Iranian people in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf remains one of our core principles and objectives."
Araghchi also declared:
"We fear no one and will not back down in the face of any threat."
He continued:
"As long as our objectives and the legitimate demands of the Iranian people have not been fulfilled, it is only natural that we will continue our course."
Concluding his remarks, Araghchi said:
"Our armed forces carry out their mission on the battlefield, while our diplomats carry out theirs in the diplomatic arena. These two complement one another. Throughout the two wars and in their aftermath, we have witnessed a full demonstration of coordination between the battlefield and diplomacy. Public participation has also become an additional element, while the media continue to fulfill their role. With strong unity and solidarity, the country has stood—and will continue to stand—against its adversaries."»
