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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused European countries Wednesday of applying double standards to regional developments, criticizing their response to U.S. and Israeli actions during meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the 81st U.N. General Assembly in New York.
According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, Araghchi met with the foreign ministers of France, the Netherlands and Austria, as well as his Iraqi and Azerbaijani counterparts.
The meetings covered bilateral relations, regional and international developments, tensions between Iran and the U.S., and the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi said insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz was "entirely caused by the aggressive actions of the U.S. and Israel," according to the ministry.
He said restoring security in the strategic waterway was linked to Washington ending actions that Tehran says have contributed to instability.
"European countries cannot claim to support the rule of law and human rights on the one hand, while on the other remaining indifferent to, and even supporting, blatant U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran," Araghchi said.
He called on countries, particularly European states, to end what he described as support for Israel and work to prevent its "impunity."
Araghchi also said Iran had pursued diplomacy over its nuclear program to address U.S. concerns, while accusing Washington of repeated agreement violations and what he called warmongering.
"The only way to restore peace and stability in the region is to halt America's illegal and aggressive actions and respect Iran's rights and national interests," he said.
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During his meeting with Araghchi, the Dutch foreign minister stressed the importance of diplomacy and presented the Netherlands' views on regional developments and relations between Iran and Europe.
The U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28, which Tehran says has killed thousands of people. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy supplies.
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