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