Tehran, Jun 22 (V7N) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran’s national football team is “fighting to protect the dignity of the country and the nation,” drawing a direct connection between sport, diplomacy, and national identity.
In a post on social media platform X on Monday, Araghchi shared images combining scenes from Iran’s World Cup match and photographs of schoolgirls killed in a February attack, framing both as part of what he described as a broader national struggle.
“From the football field to the negotiating table or the battlefield; every step we take as Iranians is part of a larger struggle to protect the honor and dignity of our beloved people,” he wrote.
The Foreign Minister also referred to victims of the February 28 missile attack on the Shazareh Tayyebeh Girls’ School in Minab, in which around 160 people were reported killed, most of them students and teachers.
The remarks come at a sensitive diplomatic moment, as United States–Iran peace talks continue under international mediation. Discussions have focused on regional security, nuclear concerns, and maritime stability in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iran’s national team remains active in the FIFA World Cup, having secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium in their latest Group G match on Monday.
The intersection of sports performance, political messaging, and ongoing negotiations has drawn global attention as tensions and diplomacy continue to evolve on multiple fronts.
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