Tehran open to talks but rejects 'threats' amid new sanctions: Iran FM
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Tehran has consistently denied accusations of providing military support to Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (AFP)
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, said on Saturday that Tehran is open to diplomacy to resolve disputes but will not tolerate "threats and pressure," state media reported.
The remarks follow a statement from the EU's chief diplomat, who noted that the bloc is considering new sanctions on Iran's aviation sector in response to reports alleging Tehran supplied Russia with ballistic missiles for its war against Ukraine.
"Iran continues on its own path with strength, although we have always been open to talks to resolve disputes... but dialogue should be based on mutual respect, not on threats and pressure," Araqchi said, according to the official news agency IRNA.
On Wednesday, Araqchi reiterated that Tehran had not delivered ballistic missiles to Russia, and he stressed that the sanctions imposed by the US and three European nations would not resolve the issues between them.
The US, Germany, the UK, and France introduced new sanctions on Iran on Tuesday, including measures targeting its national airline, Iran Air.
Read more: Iran summons UK, France, Dutch envoys over missiles to Russia claims
Tehran has consistently denied accusations of providing military support to Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
Numerous allegations have been raised against Iran, with Washington claiming that Tehran was supplying Moscow with drones for use in the war.
However, no evidence was put forward to back any of the claims.
Meanwhile, in light of false allegations targeting Iran, the US continues to be complicit in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
A report published by The Intercept earlier today revealed that the US is supplying "Israel" with advanced refueling airplanes to help its fighter jets stay in the air for a longer time for long-range operations.
Read more: Putin hails 'strategic' Russia-Iran partnership, commits to growing it
The Washington Post reported back in June citing a senior administration official, that the US has supplied "Israel" with over $6.5 billion in military supplies dubbed as aid since the beginning of the war on Gaza last October, including nearly $3 billion approved in May.
These were the figures provided as of June 27.
