TEHRAN – During a two-day visit to Algeria, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut strengthened Tehran’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and addressing important international issues, including the liberation and indirect negotiations of Palestine on Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme.
Characterized by high levels of diplomatic consultations, the visit highlighted the historical alignment of Algeria and Iran over anti-colonial struggles and mutual support at the Global Forum.
At a meeting on Tuesday with Algerian intellectuals, cultural figures and media representatives, Aragut clearly stated the principles of Iran’s foreign policy stance.
He condemned the “80-year occupation of Palestine” and the Israeli regime’s “colonial project to erase the Palestinian people.”
“The legal and moral obligations of all countries are to support legitimate resistance to Zionist expansionism in Palestine and Lebanon,” declared Aragucci, emphasizing that decades of Israeli invasion “proves that resistance remains the only path to curbing warming in this regime.”
The top diplomats also denounced the US and the West for “accomplicity in Gaza’s genocide” through Tel Aviv’s military, financial and political support, and urged Islamic countries to unite against such crimes.
Forum participants reflected the urgency of Aragut, calling for “decisive action” from the Islamic world and the international community to halt Israel’s “war crimes” and hold its leaders accountable. One Algerian media activist emphasized that “silence towards Palestine is an accomplice,” reflecting the growing regional dissatisfaction with Western indifference.
Nuclear Diplomacy: “Test” for our reliability
Turning to Iran’s nuclear program, Aragut repeatedly adhered to Tehran’s Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA), highlighting Iran’s “responsible approach” to transparency before the US “illicit withdrawal.”
While acknowledging Tehran’s preparation for indirect negotiations through Oman, he warned that future Muscat consultations represent “a new diplomatic opportunity and a test of America’s severity” given the history of “malicious and one-sided”.
When asked about the agenda of potential US speeches, Aragut revealed, “The discussion will focus solely on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and lifting unfair sanctions.”
Part of a broader effort to deepen Iran-Algeria’s cooperation, the Araguts’ visit included meetings with senior Algerian officials to promote economic, cultural and political ties.
The two countries share a history of defending global Southern solidarity, with Algeria recently supporting a multilateral initiative to counter the Western hegemony of international organisations.
Iran’s foreign minister ended his visit on Wednesday after visiting the country’s capital, Algeria’s great mosque.