TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 2. Uzbekistan’s
Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and Spain’s Minister of Foreign
Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares
Bueno, discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East, the
Uzbek FM wrote on his X page, Trend reports.
“We exchanged views on the escalating situation in the Middle
East, emphasizing that strict respect for international law,
de-escalation, and dialogue remain the only viable path toward
sustainable peace,” Saidov stated.
He added that the sides also reviewed the steady development of
bilateral relations. The ministers welcomed the holding of the
Uzbekistan-Spain Business Forum in Madrid and reaffirmed their
mutual interest in expanding cooperation across priority areas.
The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between
Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the
administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations
were viewed as the final chance to strike a deal diplomatically.
However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt
uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept
indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its
airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister
Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive.
In a significant escalation, military airstrikes conducted by
Israel and the United States the previous day have reportedly
resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei
and several members of his family.
Additionally, several of Iran’s most senior military and
security officials were killed in the airstrikes, including Chief
of Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour, Supreme
Leader adviser and Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, and
Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News
Agency's WhatsApp channel
