TEHRAN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Friday exchanged views on the consequences of the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military "aggression" against Iran.
In a phone call, the two sides also discussed the latest regional developments, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Araghchi pointed to the good offices offered by certain friendly and neighboring states to end the war, adding that Iran's principled positions in insisting on defending its rights and national interests are quite clear.
He slammed the continued "unlawful attacks" by the United States and Israel against various targets in Iran, including civilian places and centers such as schools, hospitals, historical and cultural buildings, and residential areas, highlighting Iran's determination to continue to defend the Iranian nation.
Araghchi blamed the insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz on the U.S. and Israeli attacks, noting that the waterway is closed to vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, and other parties involved in the anti-Iran military "aggression."
Araghchi said passage by vessels belonging to other countries through the Strait of Hormuz is allowed in coordination with the Iranian authorities.
Lavrov, for his part, condemned the U.S. and Israeli "aggression," highlighting the necessity to respect the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.
He voiced Russia's readiness to continue consultations to help de-escalate tensions and restore security and stability to the region.
Separately, Araghchi on Friday vowed that the country will exact a "heavy price" on Israel for its "crime" of targeting Iranian infrastructure earlier in the day, while making the remarks in a post on social media platform X after Israel attacked several industrial and atomic facilities in Iran.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East. ■
