In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Araqchi and his Vietnamese counterpart Le Hoai Trung discussed regional developments and bilateral relations.
During the call, the Vietnamese foreign minister referred to a message of condolence sent by his country’s president following the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, as well as a number of senior officials and Iranian citizens. He conveyed the sympathy and condolences of the Vietnamese government and people to Iran.
Araqchi, for his part, expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s messages of sympathy and briefed his counterpart on the war crimes committed by aggressors, as well as grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law.
Araqchi pointed in particular to attacks on schools, universities, educational and research centers, historical and cultural sites, hospitals, vital infrastructure, production facilities, and residential areas. He noted that in one instance, an attack on a school in the city of Minab resulted in the deaths of around 170 students and teachers.
The Iranian foreign minister underscored the continuation of Iran’s defense against aggressors, including targeting their military bases and facilities located in regional countries. Araqchi explained that Iran’s defensive operations stem from the use of those countries’ territories and bases by the United States to wage an illegal war against Iran. He stressed that such actions fall within Iran’s inherent right to legitimate self-defense and should not be regarded as a violation of the sovereignty of host countries.
Araqchi further stated that the root cause of insecurity imposed on the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is the military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran. He added that, based on principles of international law and to prevent misuse of the waterway for unlawful attacks, the strait has been closed to vessels belonging to parties involved in the aggression, while ships from other countries continue to transit in coordination with relevant Iranian authorities.
The Vietnamese foreign minister, recalling his country’s historical experience in defending itself against aggressors and occupiers, emphasized the importance of respecting political independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states, as well as adherence to international law and the United Nations Charter. He rejected the use or threat of force.
Le Hoai Trung also expressed concern over the consequences of the ongoing conflict in the region and voiced hope for the swift restoration of peace and stability.
The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked military campaign against Iran following the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.
The attacks have involved extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran, causing significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.
In response, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting American and Israeli positions in the occupied territories and at regional bases with waves of missiles and drones.