UN Chief, Iranian FM hold phone conversation

The UN chief emphasized the need for a continuation of the Vienna talks and described diplomacy as the best path to resolving the differences between Iran and some other parties to the negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

He said the latest Iran-related resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) included merely advisory content and stressed the necessity of proceeding with the negotiations.

In turn, Amirabdollahian described the submission of the resolution to the IAEA’s Board of Governors by the US and the European trio as a hasty and politically motivated move.

The chief diplomat further voiced Iran’s support for a continuation of the ceasefire in Yemen and emphasized the need to fully remove the humanitarian siege of the country, which he said would pave the way for more negotiations between Yemeni groups.

Referring to his phone conversation with the Syrian foreign minister on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister said the Zionist regime’s relentless acts of aggression against Syrian soil, including the latest military attack on a civilian airport in Damascus, were a blatant violation of the principles of the UN Charter.

“The circumstances in the region have proved that the Zionist regime’s warmongering against the region’s security and stability will only backfire,” he said.

During the talks, the UN head thanked the Iranian government for its efforts and constructive positions aimed at making the truce last in Yemen.

Guterres said the Astana talks on Syria would set the stage for addressing the crisis there as well as potential concerns of Syria and Turkey. (ILKHA)