Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an exclusive interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, spoke about how his visit to Cairo came a sensitive time in light of the circumstances surrounding the Arab region and the Middle East – particularly Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
He also touched on how the assassination of the head of the Hamas political bureau, Yahya Sinwar, will only fuel the resistance’s motivation even further, and that his country is ready to defend its land from any threat by Israel.
Firstly, what is your comment on the assassination of the head of the Hamas political bureau, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza?
I believe that the assassination of the head of the Hamas political bureau, Yahya Sinwar, is yet another Israeli war crime against the Palestinian and Lebanese people and the leaders of the resistance.
However, Tel Aviv does not understand that these operations will be an incentive for the resistance to continue their fight against Israel, especially as this comes after the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh and the Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.
I believe that the blood of the martyrs will not be in vain, and will continue to be a curse that haunts the Israelis. It will remain an example for the Palestinian people and the people of the region.
It will also remain a vengeance that will pursue members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, who is still committing war crimes against humanity and genocide against the Palestinian people, despite calls from the international community to stop the war.
So, do you think that these operations will affect the strength of the resistance?
On the contrary, as I said, it will be from strength to strength, and there is a need for the Hamas movement and the Lebanese Hezbollah to be two major forces of resistance against the occupation, which does not respect any international values or laws.
What Netanyahu is doing ensures that there is no future for Israel, and that he has only achieved positional and tactical victories through the assassinations of resistance leaders.
But this recent crime committed by assassinating Sinwar, which they believe will stop the resistance, will only be a strong boost for it.
This makes us more ready for any attack and any possible scenario against Tehran before.
Though Iran does it want any escalation, it will respond in an appropriate manner to the nature of Israel’s response in accordance with international laws.
I return to the reason for your visit to Cairo. Where do you see Egyptian-Iranian relations?
The relationship between Cairo and Tehran goes back thousands of years in history. Both countries have a grand heritage and civilization, and they are also influential regional players.
In my opinion, between two nations, two countries, and two civilizations, anyone in the world can recognize common ground, so we are now engaged in political and regional consultations with each other.
Some have referred to the past, when these talks were missing.
We now share many international positions and are involved in international issues, most notably human rights and nuclear disarmament.
Given the positive movement in bilateral relations, we have agreed to continue consultations to expand mutual bilateral relations.
I believe that this visit to Cairo, which comes as the first visit by an Iranian Foreign Minister in 11 years is constructive and very important, especially as it comes at a very sensitive time.
The region is now on a hot plate – is the war on Gaza and Lebanon the most prominent of these problems?
Yes, the criminal war that has been taking place in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, the war on Lebanon and the aggressive attacks against our country are issues of common interest between us, Egypt and the countries of the region.
Therefore, our visit to Cairo was for political consultations, and both countries urge for a ceasefire. Iran appreciates Cairo’s role regarding this and various issues.
Iran also earlier welcomed the visit of Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati to Tehran, and his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the new President, Masoud Pezeshkian.
What are the most important messages that Tehran conveyed to Cairo?
We stress the need to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, the need for a ceasefire, and emphasis Tehran’s agreement with Cairo on the necessity of working to stop the war and bring peace and security to the region.
We also conveyed warm greetings from President Masoud Pezeshkian to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
There is a common warning that escalation may lead to the region sliding into the clutches of a disastrous war, so there is the importance of preserving the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of all countries of the region alongside protecting the region’s stability and security.
During the meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, which I believe was very frank and very constructive, we discussed the need to mobilize all the diplomatic energies of the countries of the region to increase pressure to stop the violations occurring, as well as the immediate sending of aid to the displaced Palestinians and Lebanese, was emphasized.
While the latest developments in the situation in the region were discussed, deep concern and regret were expressed over the continued attacks and crimes of Israel, whether in Gaza or Lebanon, and a consensus was reached to prevent an increase in tension and the spread of war to the entire region.
Does Iran have information about an Israeli attack on Tehran, and what would happen if there were strikes against Iran’s nuclear field?
We are fully prepared for any attack and are ready to counterattack – any attack on Iran will be met with a strong response.
The missiles that we fired at Tel Aviv before were defensive and a legal response in accordance with the charters and laws of the United Nations.
We stress that we will not attack any economic or residential centers, and only target military and security centers – however our response this time will be proportionate and similar to the attack.
Where do you see the position of Moscow and Beijing in support of peace in the region? How do you see the possibility of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris winning the US presidential elections?
Russia and China are two global superpowers – our relations with them are very good, and there is even a way forward as we cooperate in many areas and will continue this cooperation. Our relations with North Korea are good.
As for the US presidential elections scheduled to be held on November 5, we do not care if they elect Trump or Harris.
