Iran has called for firm guarantees to prevent future military attacks as a condition for ending the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel, according to statements from Iranian officials reported by state media.
The remarks were made by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, during a phone conversation with the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper. The discussion, reported by Iran’s official news agency IRNA on Friday, reflects growing diplomatic efforts amid intensifying regional hostilities.
According to Araghchi, any pathway toward de-escalation must go beyond a simple ceasefire and include concrete assurances that similar attacks will not occur again. “The path to normalizing conditions is the cessation of these attacks. The cessation of war must be accompanied by guarantees to prevent the recurrence of such aggressions,” he said.
The Iranian minister also issued a warning against continued international support for the United States and Israel during the conflict. He cautioned that such involvement would deepen the crisis rather than resolve it. “Such actions will only escalate the situation and make conditions more complicated,” Araghchi stated.
In particular, he urged the United Kingdom to avoid cooperation with Washington and Tel Aviv in both military and media domains. Araghchi criticized the UK’s role in allowing U.S. access to military bases, arguing that such actions could be interpreted as direct participation in the conflict.
“These actions will certainly be considered participation in the aggression and will be recorded in the history of bilateral relations,” he said, signaling potential long-term diplomatic consequences.
Despite the escalating tensions, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s position on national defense, emphasizing that the country retains the right to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. “At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to defend the sovereignty and independence of our country,” he added.
The Iranian foreign minister further criticized what he described as the stance of the UK and some European nations, claiming that Iran was subjected to attacks while still engaged in diplomatic processes. He alleged that the ongoing strikes have had devastating humanitarian consequences, including the deaths of more than 170 elementary school students.
Araghchi also addressed concerns about regional stability, stating that Iran respects the sovereignty of neighboring countries and does not intend to target them. However, he accused some nations of failing to prevent their territories from being used as launch points for attacks against Iran.
“Unfortunately, however, US bases in these countries are used to strike us, and these countries have failed to fulfill their international responsibility to prevent the use of their territories for attacks against Iran,” he said.
In addition, Araghchi condemned a reported attack on the South Pars energy facilities, expressing concern over what he described as a lack of international condemnation. The South Pars field is a critical component of Iran’s energy infrastructure, and any damage to it could have broader implications for global energy markets.
For her part, Yvette Cooper called for an immediate end to the conflict and stressed the need to reduce tensions across the region. She also highlighted the wider political and economic consequences of the war, particularly its impact on global markets and key maritime routes.
Cooper expressed specific concern about rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments. Any disruption in this area could have far-reaching consequences for international trade and energy security.
The conflict has intensified since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran. The offensive has reportedly resulted in approximately 1,300 deaths, further inflaming tensions across the Middle East.
In response, Iran has carried out a series of retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, as well as countries including Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states that host U.S. military assets.
As diplomatic engagements continue, the latest exchange between Tehran and London underscores the challenges of achieving a ceasefire, with Iran insisting that lasting peace must be backed by guarantees against future military action.
