TEHRAN (AA): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday called on Muslim countries to rely on themselves and strengthen regional solidarity, saying unity among regional states was the best way to confront external threats. Araghchi’s remarks came as Iranian officials have increasingly promoted regional security arrangements led by countries in the region rather than foreign powers. Earlier on Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Gulf countries had increasingly concluded that regional security should be ensured by the countries of the region themselves. Regional tensions escalated on Feb. 28, when Israel and the US launched coordinated attacks on Iranian military, nuclear and energy infrastructure. The talks later stalled over disputes concerning maritime security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.