TEHRAN, Jan 20 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and his Dutch counterpart, Hanke Bruins Slot, yesterday, exchanged views on bilateral ties and Iran’s recent missile strike on “a base of Israeli intelligence service Mossad” in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
In a phone call, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, in which the Iranian top diplomat called for joint efforts, to expand ties at bilateral, regional, and international levels, said a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.
Amir-Abdollahian called on the Netherlands to take “appropriate and effective” action, in the path of fighting terrorism, explaining that, the recent strike was aimed at “effectively countering terrorism” and conducted “within the framework of international law and legitimate defence.”
He highlighted Iran’s respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as, the Tehran-Baghdad strategic relations, noting, ensuring Iran’s national security was a red line and priority.
The Dutch foreign minister, for her part, elaborated on her country’s positions on Iran’s move against “terrorists” in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, calling on both sides to exercise restraint.
She praised the historical relations between the Netherlands and Iran, condemning a recent deadly “terrorist” twin bombing in the south-eastern Iranian city of Kerman.
The ministers also reviewed consular issues between the two countries and highlighted the necessity to continue bilateral consultations and cooperation, the statement said.
On Monday night, the Kurdistan Region Security Council said, four people were killed and six others injured, in an Iranian strike on “several populated civilian areas” in Erbil.
On Tuesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said, it launched barrages of ballistic missiles against the bases of “terrorists” and Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad in Syria, as well as, Iraq’s Kurdistan Region respectively, in response to recent anti-Iran “terror” attacks.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, denounced the Iranian attack on Erbil as an “aggressive act” that would undermine the strong bilateral relations.– NNN-IRNA
