Sam Strömerstén

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says a "regime change" has occurred in Iran that "should be wiser than the last," adding that President Trump is open to making a deal. "If Iran is not willing, then the United States War Department will continue with even more intensity."

I took part in the Iftar. It is a great honor for me. For the thirteenth Ramadan in a row, the Muslim community of Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people are marking it under difficult conditions – under Russian aggression and Russian strikes. We very much hope that next year Ramadan will be celebrated in peace. And this is what we wish for all peoples who are now in danger – in war. We see what is happening in the Middle East and the Gulf region. We hope that the regime in Iran does not prevail, because it is an anti-human regime, and it spreads war across virtually its entire region – it is important that people and countries succeed in defending themselves and that the war there does not drag on. I thank every state that truly helps protect life – both our lives here in Ukraine and the lives of other peoples. Let us remember: we are all confronting the same evil – those who destroy life, those who despise people. It is no coincidence that Moscow and the regime in Iran have been so close. What unites them is their lack of respect for people. All of us in Europe and in the world must be effective in defending against such regimes – we must be effective so that life prevails. May it be so. Thank you all. We will certainly not forget our people in occupation and in captivity. And we are doing everything so that normal human values prevail over Russian evil.