West Bankupdated 1h ago3 min read
Abbas Araghchi Says Israel’s Occupation Drives West Asia Insecurity, Cites US Obstruction
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Abbas Araghchi says Israeli occupation is the root cause of West Asia insecurity. He links Israeli expansionism to regional insecurity and urges UNSC accountability.
PressTV was read line by line by the Watchdog: 0.0. See the score →
Iran blames occupation
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi in Baghdad that the root cause of insecurity in West Asia was Israel’s occupation and expansionist policies. Araghchi said, “The root cause of insecurity in West Asia is Israel’s occupation and expansionist policies,” and he linked the claim to what he described as genocide in Palestine and military aggressions against Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Araghchi also said the United States repeatedly obstructed diplomatic efforts by reneging on commitments and resorting to force, which he said undermined the security of international commercial shipping.
“‘The root cause of insecurity in West Asia is Israel’s occupation and expansionist policies.”
Araghchi told the meeting that the US and the Israeli regime waged their first illegal war against Iran in June 2025 and that a second aggression began on February 28, 2026, before coming to a halt in early April after 40 days. Araghchi added that Iran had maintained a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz since the early days of the second imposed war amid what he described as US acts of mischief in the region.
OIC meeting in Baghdad
WANA News Agency said Araghchi traveled to Baghdad to attend the 52nd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers and met Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Saturday evening. WANA reported that Araghchi emphasized Tehran’s determination to strengthen bilateral relations with Iraq, and it said he highlighted the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in supporting Palestine and addressing regional insecurity. Araghchi told the meeting that the root cause of insecurity in the region was the Israeli regime’s occupation and expansionism, and WANA said he also referenced military aggression against Lebanon, Syria, and Iran over the past three years.
Araghchi stressed the need to make greater use of the organization’s potential to address issues facing the Muslim world, particularly the Palestinian question and the Israeli regime’s expansionism and warmongering. WANA said the meeting also addressed the Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict, ways to help end the naval blockade of Yemen, and efforts to reduce regional tensions.
UN report and UNSC pressure
Mirage News said a United Nations Secretary-General report prepared by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia warned of severe and lasting economic, social and humanitarian repercussions of the Israeli occupation on Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Mirage News reported that Gaza’s economy contracted by 84% in 2025 compared with 2023, and it said recovery and reconstruction needs were estimated at $71.4 billion over the next decade. Mirage News also said unemployment reached 46% in 2025, rising to 78% in Gaza, and it reported that only 18 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were partially functional as of January 2026.
Tehran Times reported that Iran’s ambassador and chargé d’affaires to the United Nations in New York, Gholamhossein Darzi, called on the UN Security Council to take decisive action to compel Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law. Darzi said, “The Security Council must act decisively to address the root causes of this tragedy, end impunity,” and he warned that Israel’s continued aggression, occupation, and destabilizing activities posed a grave threat to regional and international peace and security.