Iran Press/ Europe: During a press conference after the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers, a TASS reporter asked Lavrov if Raisi's martyrdom could affect Tehran's foreign policy and bilateral relations with Russia. "I honestly see no reason to speculate on the topic of changes in the foreign policy course of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Lavrov replied.
The foreign minister emphasized that the head of the Iranian delegation to the Council meeting, Mehdi Safari, "reaffirmed the clear interest in implementation of a number of practical projects in transportation and energy, that were negotiated by the presidents [of Russia and Iran], and that are in high demand for the development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as for the development of the North-South Corridor."
A helicopter carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan Province, the Imam of Friday Prayer in Tabriz, and the chief of the presidential guard crashed in East Azerbaijan on May 19, martyring all on board. A special commission has been created to investigate the causes of the crash. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed as interim president, with elections scheduled for June 28.
US, Israel undermining Palestinian statehood talks, Russian FM says
The United States and Israel are attempting to suppress the topic of establishing an independent Palestinian state, crucial for regional stability, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers.
"We discussed the settlement in the Middle East. We concurred that without creating a Palestinian state - and this issue is being swept under the rug both by Israel and the United States which supports it in every way - it is impossible to ensure stability in that region of our Eurasian continent," Lavrov said.
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