Iran's Araghchi in 48-hour diplomatic spree with 12 counterparts

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared details on Saturday about a flurry of phone calls he held over the previous 48 hours with counterparts from 12 countries. 

In a post on X, Araghchi listed the nations as Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Cyprus, Türkiye, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Iraq and Pakistan.

He stated that they discussed regional and international developments, where he reiterated Tehran's core positions. He stressed that the national sovereignty of all states must be respected, aggression and threats must end, and destructive foreign interference must be avoided. He also noted that countries in the region bear responsibility to prevent further security escalations.

Araghchi asserted Iran's legitimate right to defend its sovereignty and national security, pointing to the need for regional security arrangements "free from the interference of extra-regional powers."

American media, citing US officials, reported several limited, defensive strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in recent weeks. Qeshm, the largest island in the Persian Gulf, lies off Iran's southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil and energy shipments.

Following the November 3 midterm elections in which Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress, US President Donald Trump stated that a deal with Tehran is possible and that indirect talks are ongoing, though he stopped short of ruling out further military action.