August 29, 2026 | 01:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran is seeking to strengthen its political and economic relations with Muslim countries, particularly neighboring states, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday.
Speaking at a meeting with guests attending the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference, Araghchi said Tehran's approach toward the Muslim world was centered on unity and broader cooperation.
“We want good relations with all Islamic countries, especially neighboring countries,” Araghchi said, according to his Telegram account, as cited by Anadolu.
He said Iran was also seeking to expand economic cooperation across the Muslim world.
“We seek broader economic relations with all Islamic countries, and, thank God, we have extensive relations with all of them,” he added.
Iran Seeks Closer Ties With Egypt and Lebanon
Anadolu reported that Araghchi said Tehran also wanted to improve relations with Egypt, arguing that there were no grounds for continued disagreements between the two countries.
“We seek good relations with Egypt,” he said. “Whenever our friends in Egypt reach a decision and are ready to restore relations, we will also be ready.”
On Lebanon, Araghchi said Iran sought good relations with all political groups and factions and was prepared to further develop ties with the Lebanese government.
However, he said Tehran disagreed with some policies adopted by the Lebanese government and expressed hope that its Foreign Ministry would demonstrate “greater rationality.”
Araghchi also called for the expansion of Iran's traditionally strong relations with African countries.
“Our approach toward the Islamic world is based on unity,” he said, adding that Iran sought to broaden relations across the Muslim world while giving neighboring countries special importance.
Regional Tensions Remain High
Addressing ongoing military tensions in the region, Araghchi said Iran had targeted U.S. positions in surrounding countries in response to American attacks but maintained that Tehran had never attacked Muslim countries or its neighbors.
He said Iran had previously informed regional governments that U.S. bases and targets located on their territory could face Iranian strikes if Washington attacked Iran.
“Our fighters will strike any American target in the region during wartime, whether it is a US base, an American facility or a gathering point for their forces,” he said.
Araghchi described U.S. and Israeli strikes as “illegitimate aggression” and Iran's military response as “legitimate self-defense.”
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have remained high since the war began with strikes on Iran in late February. Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. military positions and assets in Arab countries aligned with Washington.
Iran and the United States signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding in Islamabad on June 18 following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar aimed at ending hostilities and paving the way for negotiations.
Implementation of the agreement has since faced difficulties, with Tehran accusing Washington of failing to fulfill its commitments. The United States resumed military attacks on Iran in July, prompting further Iranian retaliatory strikes.
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