Iranian Foreign Minister Vows Closer Ties With Russia, China

"When I named [some countries] as priorities, it means that they are all on our agenda, and we will advance work with all of them — with neighbors, countries with developing economies, with regional organizations such as the SCO, BRICS, with Russia and China — our old friends, with whom, I hope, we will establish closer ties," Araghchi told Iranian state television.

The minister explained that Iran sought universal and balanced diplomacy, which involved developing relations with all countries as well as identifying and using their potential.

When asked whether it matters to Iran who wins the US presidential election, the minister stressed that whether a particular person is in power in another country did not matter, since Tehran acted "based on its own interests."

Iran Suggests Creating Dedicated Security Framework Within BRICS

11 September, 14:42

Ukrainian Conflict Complicated Iran's Relations With Europe

Europe cannot expect Iran to unilaterally understand its security problems; the conflict in Ukraine has complicated relations between Tehran and European countries, and talks based on mutual respect can be a solution, Araghchi said.

On Tuesday, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France threatened Iran with new sanctions, including the cancellation of bilateral air service agreements, due to Tehran's alleged deliveries of ballistic missiles to Russia. Araghchi said these claims were false.

"Europe cannot expect that we will unilaterally become imbued with its security concerns and, for example, take action against them. The Europeans must also understand Iran's concerns," he said.

Sanctions are a failed instrument, the minister stressed.

"As for Ukraine as a subject of their concern — they [the Europeans] must understand: they are worried about, for example, what kind of weapons we could give to Russia. Isn't Iran the same country that you once imposed sanctions for importing barbed wire and did not give it the simplest weapons? How is it that now, according to you, Iran can export advanced equipment, and to a country like Russia, too," he said. "The Ukrainian issue has complicated our relations with Europe... What is happening in Ukraine and the feeling that Europeans have about the threat from Russia have created problems and new complications in relations with Iran. We must overcome this."

According to the minister, holding rational and mutually respectful negotiations between Iran and European countries will help eliminate a number of misunderstandings and help discuss the concerns of both sides. Araghchi called such negotiations "a two-way street," emphasizing that Iran is ready for them.

CNN claimed on September 6, citing sources, that Iran had allegedly transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani denied reports about Tehran supplying weapons to Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that talks "about some supplies of some weapons" to Russia had no basis.