Iran's new foreign minister calls for EU dialogue

"The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the development of relations with theEuropean Union in an environment based on mutual respect," Araghchi said in astatement issued late Thursday.
Relations between the EU and Iran have deteriorated in recent years.
The bloc accuses Tehran of failing to rein in its nuclear activity, providingsupport to Palestinian militant group Hamas, backing Russia's war in Ukraine,and committing human rights violations, reports BSS.
The development of relations "requires dialogue to resolve issues between thetwo parties and the correction of the misguided policies of Europeancountries," Araghchi added.
For his part, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on social mediaplatform X that he had discussed "prospects for renewed engagement on allfiles of mutual interest" with his Iranian counterpart.
The discussion included the "need for de-escalation and restraint" as well as"halting military cooperation" with Russia against Ukraine and nuclear non-proliferation.
Borrell said such "critical dialogue" was "essential to defuse regionaltensions".
Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah threatened reprisals against Israelfollowing the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran anda top Hezbollah commander in Beirut late last month.
Araghchi, who took up his post on Wednesday, is known for his openness to theWest.
He served as chief nuclear negotiator and played a key role in securing a2015 agreement for Iran to curb its nuclear activity in return for an easingof sanctions.
That deal was torpedoed in 2018 by then US president Donald Trump. Efforts torevive it since 2022 have so far failed.