Daijiworld Media Network – Doha
Doha, Feb 7: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday strongly criticised what he described as a “doctrine of domination” that, according to him, allows Israel to freely expand its military arsenal while exerting pressure on other countries in the region to disarm.
Speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum conference in Qatar, Araghchi accused Israel of pursuing an expansionist agenda aimed at weakening neighbouring nations militarily, technologically, economically and socially. His remarks came a day after Iran and the United States resumed indirect nuclear talks, though he made no direct reference to the discussions.
“Israel’s expansionist project requires that neighbouring countries be weakened,” Araghchi said. “Under this project, Israel is free to expand its military arsenal without limits. Yet other countries are demanded to disarm, pressured to reduce their defensive capacity, or punished for scientific progress. This is a doctrine of domination.”
The comments come in the backdrop of heightened regional tensions following last year’s 12-day war, which erupted after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran in June. During the conflict, Israel targeted senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, key nuclear sites and residential areas. The United States later joined the offensive, striking major Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Israel and also targeted the largest US military base in the Middle East, located in Qatar.
On Friday, Araghchi led the Iranian delegation in indirect nuclear negotiations with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat. Following the talks, Araghchi described the atmosphere as “very positive,” while US President Donald Trump said the discussions were “very good,” with both sides agreeing to continue negotiations.
The renewed talks follow strong warnings from Washington and the recent deployment of a US aircraft carrier group to the region, amid Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests last month. The United States has been pressing to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its support for militant groups in the region within the scope of negotiations, a move backed by Israel. Tehran, however, has consistently rejected any expansion of talks beyond the nuclear issue.