Ali Akbar Velayati challenges U.S. de-escalation efforts, highlighting perceived hypocrisy in support for Israeli actions against Iran.
EPICSTORIAN — Iran’s former minister, Ali Akbar Velayati, In a pointed critique, labelled U.S. calls for de-escalation in the Israel-Hamas war as “hypocritical” and ‘two sides of the same coin’, especially in light of what he described as ‘direct support for Israel’s recent military actions’.
Speaking to the Financial Times , Velayati , who was the country’s former Foreign minister, revealed that Iran is reassessing its foreign policy to strengthen ties with European nations and beyond, as reported by MHR.
Iran’s Former Minister Advocates for Genuine Interactions
“The Islamic Republic is open to cooperation with any Western state that seeks genuine interaction with Iran, provided it respects our sovereignty and treats us as an equal,” Velayati stated, referring to recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets across three provinces, which Iran had claimed were thwarted by its air defences.
Velayati emphasised Iran’s commitment to balancing its diplomatic relations globally. “We are actively redefining a new balance in relations with Western, Eastern, and developing countries. We welcome friendship with any country, from Europe to Asia or Africa,” he added.
Dismissing the Israeli attacks as “much ado about nothing,” Velayati accused Israel of destabilising the region.
“As a warmongering entity, the regime has the potential to ignite the volatile Middle East, creating a spark that could set the regional powder keg alight,” he asserted.
With regional Arab governments condemning Israel’s military aggression, Velayati reiterated that Iran’s policy is fundamentally defensive.
“We have never started any wars, as history attests. The Iran-Iraq war exemplifies this policy. However, we will respond decisively to any act of aggression,” he warned.
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As Iran seeks to strengthen regional alliances and mend ties with Europe, it remains cautious regarding nuclear negotiations with the U.S. Velayati noted the complexities of U.S.-Iran relations, stating, “The U.S.’s direct support for Israel and its simultaneous calls for de-escalation through intermediaries are simply two sides of the same coin.”
