TEHRAN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have exchanged views on the latest developments in West Asia following what Tehran calls the U.S. "repeated breach of promises and violation" of the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington, according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement released Friday.
In a meeting on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Thursday afternoon, the two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade, transportation and energy areas, as well as international coordination, the statement said.
Araghchi praised Russia's "responsible" positions in opposition to the U.S. "unilateralism and abuse of international organizations" to pressure independent states.
He briefed Lavrov on the latest progress of the negotiations and understanding between Iran and Oman on designating a safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz, and on mediators' ongoing efforts to prepare the ground for a return to diplomacy by exchanging "conditions and essential elements" between Tehran and Washington.
Araghchi stressed that while Iran has demonstrated seriousness in diplomacy, it is determined to defend its national interests and security and prevent any U.S. abuse of the Strait of Hormuz to threaten the country.
Lavrov, for his part, highlighted Russia's principled position in condemning the U.S. and Israeli "military aggression" against Iran and attempts by the United States and its allies to use international organizations as a tool to advance their own agendas.
He emphasized the need for all countries to commit to international law and the UN Charter principles.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
On June 18, the United States and Iran signed the MoU on ending the war. Under the MoU, they were scheduled to hold negotiations within a period of 60 days, which ended on Aug. 17, to reach a final agreement, but the talks' fate remains unclear following recent escalations between the two countries. ■
