Speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a pointed critique of the current regional security architecture, labeling the disparity in military expansion as a “doctrine of domination.”
The remarks follow a significant session of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iranian officials and U.S. representatives in Muscat, Oman.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticizes Israel for what he describes as a “doctrine of domination,” accusing it of expanding its military arsenal while pushing other countries in the region to disarm. pic.twitter.com/jdgv4j2icl
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 7, 2026
Challenging the Regional Security Paradigm
Minister Araghchi addressed the international community regarding the military imbalance in the Middle East, specifically highlighting the pressure on regional nations to disarm while Israel maintains an unrestricted path to military expansion.
“Israel’s expansionist project requires that neighboring countries be weakened: militarily, technologically, economically, and socially,” Araghchi stated. “Under this project, Israel is free to expand its military arsenal without limits… Yet other countries are demanded to disarm. This is a doctrine of domination.”
The Minister emphasized that scientific progress and defensive capacity should not be subject to punitive measures by external powers.
Diplomatic Context: The Muscat Negotiations
The Foreign Minister’s speech comes immediately after high-level indirect talks with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Despite the sharp rhetoric regarding regional security, Araghchi characterized the atmosphere of the Friday negotiations as “very positive.”
U.S. President Donald Trump similarly noted the progress, describing the talks as “very good” and confirming that both nations have agreed to proceed with further negotiations. These talks represent a pivotal moment in de-escalation following the 12-day conflict that took place last June.
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Negotiation Scope and Regional Stability
While the United States and Israel have signaled a desire to expand the scope of talks to include ballistic missile programs and regional influence, Tehran has maintained a firm stance. The Iranian delegation continues to advocate for a focused approach, rejecting the expansion of negotiations beyond the immediate nuclear framework.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its commitment to a diplomatic resolution that respects national sovereignty and provides for equitable regional security without the constraints of “domination doctrines.”
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