Iran says it opposes war in Ukraine, ready to assist with relief efforts

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has renewed the call for a political settlement of the conflict pitting Russia against Ukraine.

In a phone call on Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian told President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer that Tehran is ready to cooperate with the International Red Cross in providing humanitarian assistance.

The two officials discussed aid delivery in border areas of Ukraine and the humanitarian situation in Yemen and Afghanistan as well as ways to boost bilateral relations.

Iran’s top diplomat stressed the importance of resolving the Ukraine crisis politically and said, “War is not a solution.”

Right after the conflict broke out, Iran began making efforts to support its citizens in Ukraine and set up a special committee in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve the humanitarian situation, he said.

The top Iranian diplomat called for strengthening cooperation between the ICRC and the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in this regard.

On 24 February, Russia started an all-out military operation in Ukraine after leaders of the self-proclaimed republic in the Donbass region called for assistance in the face of shelling by Kiev’s army. Moscow had just recognized the sovereignty of the breakaway republics.

Moscow says the goal of the invasion is to “demilitarize” and “de-Nazify” Ukraine.

The Russian offensive against Ukraine was launched last week. Moscow now claims to have taken over Kherson, a southern Ukrainian port city on the Black Sea.

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