Tehran Says It Does Not Recognize Annexation Of Ukrainian Territories

Iran’s foreign minister claims the Islamic Republic does not recognize Russia's annexation of occupied Ukrainian territories.

In an interview with TRT World, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Thursday that despite good relations between Moscow and Tehran, Iran still does not recognize the annexation of Ukrainian territories.

"We recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries within the framework of international laws, therefore, despite the excellent relations between Tehran and Moscow, we did not recognize the occupation of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions," the minister said.

He also claimed that the Islamic Republic opposes the war and hopes for peace in Ukraine.

“When we say that the conflict in Ukraine is not a solution, we believe in our position as a fundamental political principle on which we rely," Amir-Abdollahian said.

His comments came at a time when Tehran signed a trade agreement with the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic back in June.

"At the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Donetsk People's Republic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Farnoush Trade, an Iranian Commercial House, signed an agreement that will promote the development of trade and economic relations between our Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran," wrote Donetsk President Denis Pushilin on social media in June.

However, the Islamic Republic denied the reports.

Iran’s regime is providing military support to Russia in its war against Ukraine by supplying Moscow with kamikaze drones. The US and some other Western countries have imposed sanctions against Tehran for providing the drones that target civilian infrastructures in Ukraine.