On the 18th, Iran's foreign minister Araqchi said recent clashes show countries
without US military bases suffer less damage, and that US bases cannot shield US
interests from strikes by resistance forces. He said Qatar and Pakistan played
effective mediating roles between Iran and the US and that Tehran's ties with
Qatar are currently very good. He urged a new Middle East security concept based
on "common security" and addressing economic imbalances, warning the Persian
Gulf cannot achieve lasting peace without comprehensive cooperation.
