Iran accuses UK of ‘negative and biased approach’ to conflict with Israel and US

Iran has accused the UK of a “negative and biased approach” to the conflict with Israel and the United States, Tehran’s state media has reported.

In a phone conversation with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, it is claimed that her Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, warned against any support for the US and Israel as the conflict continued.

“Such actions will only escalate the situation and make conditions more complicated,” he reportedly said, as he called on the UK to refrain from cooperation with Washington and Tel Aviv “in military or media arenas.”

It is claimed he referenced the UK’s provision of military bases to the US, and said: “These actions will certainly be considered participation in the aggression and will be recorded in the history of bilateral relations.”

“At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to defend the sovereignty and independence of our country,” he added.

In further claims, Iranian state media reported that Araghchi said:

“We respect the sovereignty of neighbouring countries and have no intention to attack them,” he said.

“Unfortunately, however, US bases in these countries are used to strike us, and these countries have failed to fulfil their international responsibility to prevent the use of their territories for attacks against Iran,” he added.

Responding the Foreign Office said Cooper called on Tehran to stop its “reckless strikes” against neighbours in a call with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

She told him that UK operations in the region were in response to Iran’s aggression against Gulf partners when they spoke on Thursday, an FCDO spokesperson said.

“She condemned Iran’s reckless attacks – including on Gulf partners and critical energy infrastructure – and Iran’s disruption and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. She called for the immediate restoration of freedom of navigation.

“The Foreign Secretary reiterated our joint call with France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on all attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.

“The Foreign Secretary made clear to the foreign minister that the defensive UK operations in the region were a response to the Iranian aggression against Gulf partners countries who had not attacked Iran and she called on Iran to immediately stop these reckless strikes against its neighbours.

“She made clear that the UK wants to see a swift resolution to this conflict. The Foreign Secretary also warned Iran against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly and restated the UK’s focus on regional stability and security.”