TEHRAN, July 7 (Alliance News): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has accused Israel and the United States of jointly sabotaging diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington and of carrying out aggressive acts that violate international law, warning of far-reaching consequences if the two countries are not held accountable.
Speaking at the BRICS summit, Araqchi strongly condemned what he termed “acts of aggression” by Israel, including strikes on Iranian soil that resulted in civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure.
“Israel has deliberately escalated tensions in the region, targeting not only Iran’s military and nuclear sites but also civilian populations. These actions are not just violations of international law but crimes that must not go unpunished,” Araqchi said.
He emphasized that Iran had responded with “full force” to the Israeli attacks, asserting Iran’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“The region has witnessed how Iran acted with resolve and restraint, but continued provocations will not be tolerated,” he added.
Araqchi also criticized the United States, stating that its direct and indirect involvement in attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities constitutes a blatant breach of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as well as UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed Iran’s nuclear deal.
“The subsequent involvement of the United States in these acts confirms its full complicity in Israel’s military aggression,” he told summit attendees.
According to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, Araqchi issued a stark warning: “If Israel is not held accountable for its repeated violations, including the bombing of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and the killing of civilians and scientists, the fallout will extend beyond the Middle East. The world must act before the crisis spirals out of control.”
Araqchi raised concern about the repeated targeting of Iranian nuclear scientists and military leaders in earlier stages of the Iran-Israel conflict.
“These targeted killings and bombings are not only attacks on Iran but on international diplomacy and peace,” he said, pointing out that some of Iran’s top nuclear experts and high-ranking military officials were martyred in Israeli airstrikes.
While the BRICS summit declaration condemned the recent escalations in both Iran and Gaza, it stopped short of directly naming Israel or the United States.
Araqchi, however, was unequivocal in his remarks, urging BRICS nations to take a firmer stance against such acts of aggression. “Condemnation without naming the aggressor weakens the moral clarity of our collective voice,” he said.
He questioned whether Israel was being used as a regional proxy to deliberately destabilize the Middle East, noting a pattern of provocations.
“Israel’s actions are not isolated incidents—they form part of a broader geopolitical strategy aimed at undermining regional sovereignty and multilateralism,” Araqchi asserted.
Araqchi further called on BRICS countries to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and international law. “The time has come for emerging global powers to assume moral leadership. We must prevent another catastrophic war from erupting in the Middle East,” he said.
Despite growing international concern, the United States has largely remained silent on the details of its alleged involvement in the Iranian facility attacks, while Israeli officials have neither confirmed nor denied the operations.
Analysts suggest that the refusal to claim responsibility could be part of a broader strategy of ambiguity.
The Iranian Foreign Minister concluded by reiterating Iran’s commitment to peaceful development and diplomacy, but warned that continued aggression would not go unanswered.
“Iran is not seeking war. But if war is imposed upon us, we will respond with strength and legitimacy. We call on the international community to act before it is too late,” he declared.
As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to simmer, regional observers fear a prolonged cycle of retaliation could threaten broader peace efforts across the Middle East and beyond.
