Demanding an End to Iran's Military Aid for Russia: A Phone Call Between Kaja Kallas and Abbas Araqchi
Iran urged to cease providing "military aid" to Russia, as asserted by Kallas.
In a bold move, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas gave Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi a stern talking-to, urging Tehran to quit its military backing of Russia. Kallas's phone call with Araqchi was no mere formality; it was a demand to halt Iran's questionable military aid to Moscow.
"I didn't mince my words, mate," Kallas declared on her social media page. "I told 'em flat out that Iran needs to quit supporting Russia militarily. I also voiced my worries about the detention of EU citizens and human rights violations."
She went on to reveal that the EU's relationship with Iran hinges on progress in these very areas.
Previously, Abbas Araqchi boasted about the stellar relationship between Russia and Iran, claiming the two countries are at an all-time high in terms of diplomatic relations.
"At this juncture, Iran and Russia are strategic partners, and we're going to keep advocating for shared interests that'll benefit both our nations and the world," Araqchi proclaimed. "We're at the pinnacle of collaboration with Russia throughout our 500-year history."
It's worth noting that Iran's military support for Russia isn't a new development. In fact, Iran has been supplying drones and other military technology to Russia for use in various combat operations, like the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This has raised the eyebrows of many in the international community, with the EU leading the charge in demanding an end to such aid.
The EU's increasingly conditional stance towards Iran implies that the bloc's relationship with the Middle Eastern nation will rely heavily on progress in several areas. If Iran continues to support Russia militarily, it could further strain relations and possibly hinder any attempts to improve cooperation or normalize ties between the EU and Iran.
Before this phone call, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, held discussions with Kallas about a deal on oil and gas, as well as the situation with Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine.
[Sources: 4 - European External Action Service, 5 - Council on Foreign Relations]
- Kaja Kallas urged Iran to halt its military aid to Russia, expressing concerns about the detention of EU citizens and human rights violations.
- The EU's relationship with Iran is contingent on progress in various areas, including war-and-conflicts policy and legislation.
- Abbas Araqchi boasted about the strategic partnership between Russia and Iran, claiming their relations are at an all-time high after 500 years.
- Iran's military support for Russia, such as supplying drones for combat operations in Ukraine, has raised concerns in the international community and put a strain on Iran's relations with the EU.
- The general news indicates that the EU's political stance towards Iran is becoming increasingly conditional, with any continued military support for Russia potentially leading to further strained relations and hindered attempts to improve cooperation or normalize ties between the EU and Iran.
