During the call, the two sides conferred on the latest regional developments, especially after Tehran’s decisive and legitimate response to the US military base in Iraq.
Earlier in the day, Zarif also held separate phone conversations with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg and Malaysian top diplomat Saifuddin Abdullah.
In the phone calls, the foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in the region.
The talks came hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) hit the US’ Ain al-Assad base in Iraq with dozens of ballistic missiles in retaliation for the US assassination of top general Qassem Soleimani.
Iran, Turkey Discuss IRGC Missile Attacks on US Base
Iran Expresses Regret over Tehran-Kiev Plane Crash
He also offered condolences to the Iranian nation, the Ukrainian nation and government, and the families of the tragic incident.
The Ukrainian passenger plane with 179 people on board has crashed shortly after take-off from the international airport south of the Iranian capital, Tehran, killing all those aboard.
Ali Khashani, a senior public relations official at Imam Khomeini International Airport, said the Boeing 737 operated by the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), which was bound for Kiev, went down early Wednesday in the vicinity of Parand, a city in Robat Karim County, Tehran Province.
The plane caught fire after crashing.
Later, Kashani announced that all the passengers and crew members of the plane had died in the crash, according to IRNA.
According to the Ukrainian government, 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians (including nine crew members), 10 Swedish, four Afghans, three Germans, and three UK nationals were among the victims.
Iran Hits Centre of US Terrorism in Region: Spokesman
Speaking after a cabinet session on Wednesday, Rabiei said the government appreciates the IRGC’s “accurate” attacks this morning which hit the US’ Ain al-Assad base in Iraq without being intercepted.
He said Iran is not after a war, and the attacks were in retaliation for the Friday assassination of General Soleimani and his comrades.
Rabiei also stressed that the country will give a harsher response to the United States in case they show any further reaction.
Iran Leader: End of US Presence in Mideast Final Revenge for Soleimani
Addressing hundreds of people in Tehran, the Leader said the US presence in the region has brought nothing but sedition and destruction.
“The US has caused war, division, sedition, destruction, and the demolition of infrastructures in this region. Of course they do this everywhere in the world. This region won’t accept the US presence. Governments elected by nations won’t accept the presence of the US,” he noted.
“They insist on spreading this corruption to Iran as well,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, referring to the calls for negotiation between the two sides as a prelude to that.
“This needs to end,” he said, saying that regional states do not accept such presence.
The Leader referred to the IRGC‘s missile strikes against the US’ Ain al-Assad military as a slap in the US’ face, saying that “revenge” is something else. He said the revenge will be taken once the US leaves the region.
176 Killed in Passenger Plane Crash Near Tehran
The plane was an almost brand-new (three-year-old) Boeing-737 plane which crashed six minutes after its take-off due to an engine fire.
Iran Admits Its Air Defence ‘Unintentionally’ Hit Ukrainian Plane
Iran’s IRGC Confirms Missile Attack on US Base in Iraq
The IRGC confirmed the attacks, and said in an official statement that in Operation Martyr Soleimani in early hours of Wednesday, tens of ground-to-ground missiles were fired at the US base and successfully pounded the Ain al-Assad Base.
The IRGC warned in the statement that any more aggression and move will receive even more crushing responses.
It also warned the countries hosting US bases that Iran will target them as well if they allow the US to use their territory for any attack on Iran.
The statement also said Israel is not at all separate from the US.
Iran’s IRGC Missiles Hit US’ Ain Al-Assad Base in Iraq
The Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has fired several ballistic missiles at the Ain al-Assad base of the American troops in Iraq in retaliation for the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani.
The missiles have reportedly successfully hit their target.
At the same time, Iraqi resistance forces have started hitting the US base.
More details will follow.
The IRGC later confirmed the attacks, and said in an official statement that in Operation Martyr Soleimani in early hours of Wednesday, tens of ground-to-ground missiles were fired at the US base and successfully pounded the Ain al-Assad Base.
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 7
Iran Newspapers
Abrar:
- Goodbye Commander of Hearts
- Nancy Pelosi: We Will Vote on Resolution Limiting President’s Military Action against Iran
- Iran Abandons All Operational Limits under JCPOA
- Zarif: Fifth Step Taken in Accordance with JCPOA
- Abdul-Mahdi: We’re Working to Carry Out Resolution on Expulsion of Foreign Military Forces
- Grand Ayatollah Sistani Sends Letter of Condolence to Leader of Islamic Revolution
Arman-e Melli:
- The World Amazed
- UNESCO Reacts to Trump’s Threat against Iran’s Cultural Sites / UNESCO’s Secretary General Responds
- EU3 Asks Iran to Return to JCPOA / Arman-e Melli Reports on Reactions to Iran’s 5th Step to Reduce Commitments
- US Exit from Iraq to Become Operational / Arman-e Melli’s Story on Iraqi Anger at Violation of National Sovereignty
Ebtekar:
- Glory of Farewell
- Nonstop Nuclear Program / Ebtekar Examines Iran’s 5th Step to Reduce JCPOA Commitments
- Urgency Motion on Retaliatory Action against US Tabled at Iranian Parliament, Presiding Board Member Says
Etemad:
- Solomon’s Territory
- Beginning of An End to US’ Dialogue Hegemony in Region / Special File on Tehran Dialogue Forum 2020
- ISIS-Style War Crime / Trump Threatens Again to Attack Iran’s Cultural Centers
- Iran Pioneer of Initiatives / Islamic Republic of Iran Hosts Tehran Security Forum on Peace and Stability in Persian Gulf Region This Week
Jomhouri Eslami:
- Tehran Citizens Bid Historic Farewell to Gen. Soleimani
- Iraqi Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Unveils Mechanism for Expulsion of US Forces
- US House of Representatives Moves to Reduce Trump’s War Powers
- People of Tehran Bid Historic Farewell to General Qassem Soleimani
Kayhan:
- Revenge Is Imminent; We’re All Like Time Bombs
- Health Minister: General Soleimani Played Major Role in Defeating Pharmaceutical Sanctions
- Atwan: Humiliating Revenge against US Begins
Mardom Salari:
- Epic of Farewell
- Iran’s Final Response to European Inaction / Mardom Salari Online Reports on Lifting of All JCPOA Operational Limits after Fifth Step
Setareh Sobh:
- Millions in Tehran Bid Farewell to Iranian General
- EU3 Reacts to Beginning of Iran’s Fifth Nuclear Step
Iran Summons UK Envoy over ‘Unacceptable’ Remarks
UK Ambassador to Tehran Robert Macaire was summoned to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, January 7, following the unacceptable remarks made by the UK prime minister, foreign secretary, and defence secretary about US President Donald Trump’s terrorist action to assassinate Lt. General Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and their companions.
In a meeting with the British ambassador, the Iranian Foreign Minister’s assistant for European affairs strongly condemned the remarks made by the UK officials, and presented Iran’s strong protest to the envoy against the British stances.
The Iranian diplomat maintained that the US’ terrorist action has been in contradiction to the principles of the international law and also to Iraq’s national sovereignty, as acknowledged by the world and the jurists.
He also stressed that from the viewpoint of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s people and government, such British stances are tantamount to collaboration with the US’ terrorist measure, are not justifiable and acceptable by any means, and that the UK could be considered as an accomplice in this crime by adopting such stances.
The Iranian Foreign Minister’s assistant for European affairs then pointed to the presence of tens of millions of people from the Iranian and Iraqi cities in the funeral of the revered martyrs and the heroes of the fight against ISIS who played a key role in eliminating ISIS from the region, saying the UK envoy must have witnessed such epic funeral. He also stressed that the Iranian nation will not forgive those sympathizing with the US’ measure.
The Iranian diplomat finally called on the UK ambassador to convey the Islamic Republic of Iran’s protest to London.
In turn, the British envoy said his government believes that escalation of tensions is not in the interests of anyone, and asked Iran to show more self-restraint in the current delicate situation in the region.
Macaire said he will convey Iran’s message to London immediately.
