Baghaei: We have no plans for talks with the US at the moment
Tehran - BORNA - During his weekly press conference today, Monday Esmail Baghaei, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: We at the Foreign Ministry will not miss any opportunity to pursue the rights of the Iranian nation, document this crime, and hold accountable the criminals who played a role and participated in this brutal aggression.
Baghaei also expressed his disgust at the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza and said: "What has recently been added to the Zionist crimes and genocide is the use of food and water as a weapon to kill innocent children and women in Gaza."
We are witnessing the normalization of crime and killing in Gaza
He added: Gaza has been under siege for several months and, regrettably, human conscience has been in a state of absolute numbness, and we are witnessing the normalization of crime and killing in this region.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said: In the past 24 hours, 150 people were killed in Gaza, most of whom were martyred at the gathering place to receive food.
Baghaei added: The international community did not pass this test successfully and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should hold a special meeting in this regard, and we have forwarded this request to the Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The creation of new crossings should not undermine the sovereignty of regional countries and recognized territorial borders
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question about the recent statements of the President of Azerbaijan regarding the Zangezur Corridor, referring to Iran's previous positions: The creation of new crossings should not undermine the sovereignty of regional countries and recognized territorial borders and be accompanied by regional geopolitical changes.
He continued: In some cases, the talks and positions of other countries in the Caucasus region may be misinterpreted and not accurately expressed in the media, which in itself causes misunderstanding.
The embassies of France, England, and Germany are active in Tehran
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question: Many foreign embassies that had reduced their staff or closed due to concerns about developments related to the Zionist regime's aggression against Iran have resumed their activities in Tehran.
He added: Currently, the ambassadors of the three European countries, France, England, and Germany, are present in Tehran, and their embassies continue to operate.
The EU Deputy Foreign Policy Officer is present at the Iran-E3 meeting on Friday
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said: The Iran-European Troika meeting at the level of deputy foreign ministers will be held in Istanbul on Friday.
He added: The EU Deputy Foreign Policy Officer is also present at the meeting.
Lifting sanctions and issues related to Iran's nuclear program will be raised in the Iran-E3 meeting
Baghaei also said: "The subject of Friday's talks is clear, lifting sanctions and issues related to Iran's nuclear program will definitely be raised seriously in this meeting, and we will state our demands."
Europeans must be held accountable for their stances following the aggression against Iran
This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran continued: During the attack by the Zionist regime and the United States on Iran and our country’s nuclear facilities, European countries not only did not condemn these attacks, but also supported them, and they must be held accountable for their stances.
We currently have no plans for talks with the United States
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question about the talks between Iran and the United States: I explained today about the talks between Iran and Europe, and regarding the United States, we currently have no plans for talks with the United States.
He continued: We have said many times that diplomacy is a tool and an opportunity for us to protect Iran’s national interests, and whenever we come to the conclusion that we must use it to achieve Iran’s national interests, we will not hesitate or fail in this regard.
Trilateral meeting of China, Russia and Iran to be held in Tehran tomorrow
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said regarding Iran's consultations with Russia and China regarding the SnapBack mechanism and European threats in this regard: Russia and China are both members of the JCPOA and the UN Security Council and can play a role in any process that takes shape in this regard.
He continued: We have good relations with Russia and China, and over the past year we have had good talks with China and Russia regarding the trigger mechanism.
He continued: Tomorrow (Tuesday), a trilateral meeting of China, Russia and Iran is scheduled to be held in Tehran at the level of general managers, in which the nuclear issue will also be raised.
There is no basis or reason for the return of the lifted sanctions against Iran
Baghaei continued: We are in continuous and ongoing consultations to prevent the implementation of this mechanism or reduce the implementation of its consequences. Of course, as I said, from a legal, logical, moral and political perspective, there is no basis or reason for the return of the lifted sanctions against Iran.
The President will travel to Pakistan in the coming weeks
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran also emphasized in response to a question: It has been planned that the President will travel to Pakistan in the coming weeks, of course, more news and details in this regard will be announced by the President's Office.
Larijani, as the President’s Special Envoy, carried Iran’s message and broad vision to Putin
In response to a question about the trip yesterday of Ali Larijani, Advisor to the Supreme Leader, to Moscow and his meeting with the Russian president, and whether the Foreign Ministry was aware of this trip, Baqaei said: Mr. Larijani, as the President’s Special Envoy, carried the message and broad vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding regional developments, international developments, and bilateral relations.
He added: He had a very good meeting with the Russian President, in which they discussed a diverse range of issues, especially bilateral relations and regional issues after the developments of the last three to four weeks.
He continued: It is normal for countries to send envoys to target countries in accordance with developments and considering the importance of the issues. He has previously made trips in this capacity, including to Russia, so this is normal, and the Foreign Ministry was also aware of this trip.
The US insistence on destroying Iran’s peaceful nuclear program is not an honor
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said regarding the repeated statements of US officials regarding the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day war: “I do not think that it is honorable for a permanent member of the Security Council, one of the three signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and as a country that itself submitted the draft of Security Council Resolution 2231 to the Security Council in 2015, to insist so much on destroying Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.”
He continued: “This action only makes their burden of responsibility heavier and makes our work easier to prove the US’s illegal action and to establish the international responsibility of the US government for this unlawful action it took against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.”
We will regulate the type of our cooperation with the IAEA with the opinion of the Supreme National Security Council and on a case-by-case basis
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson also emphasized in response to a question about Iran’s relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency: We are still members of the Agency and the NPT, and at the same time, we have officially announced that we are not satisfied with the approach of the Agency and the Board of Governors in any way. The Iranian people are upset and angry with some of the Agency’s approaches, which were sometimes misused to attack Iran.
He added: You have seen the approach of the Parliament towards this inappropriate behavior.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson added: Based on the resolution of the Parliament, we will regulate the type of our cooperation with the Agency with the opinion of the Supreme National Security Council and on a case-by-case basis.
We strongly complain about Germany's approach towards Iran
In response to a question from the German journalist regarding Germany's role in the Istanbul talks to be held on Friday, Beqaei also said: We strongly complain about Germany's approach towards Iran, especially in the last month.
Referring to Germany's support for the Israeli and American attacks on Iran, this senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran said: German officials used inappropriate expressions in connection with the Zionist regime's attack on Iran and said that this regime is doing dirty work for us in Iran. This has created and continues to create international responsibility for the German government in legal terms because it justifies an act of aggression and admits that Germany is part of this aggression.
This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran continued: We expect German officials to explain these positions, correct them and not allow these positions to be a black spot in the relations between the two countries.
We hope that the European E3 will not take away the opportunity to play a constructive role from the European Union as a whole
He also referred to the Europeans' lack of commitment, especially the European E3, regarding the issue of the JCPOA and the implementation of their commitments in this agreement and its threats to use the trigger mechanism against Iran and said: "We hope that the European countries will reconsider their approach and not take away the opportunity to play a constructive role from the European Union as a whole in relation to this issue."
Poor Nobel and Poor Peace
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson continued his conversation with reporters in response to a question regarding Netanyahu's proposal to the Nobel Peace Committee that the Nobel Peace Prize be presented to US President Donald Trump, saying: "I think that in a world that has undergone a severe reversal and that the history of the Nobel Peace Prize shows, at a time when someone like Nelson Mandela is nominated for the Peace Prize because of their history in the fight against apartheid, and today, a party that is itself a symbol of apartheid, racial discrimination, and a party that is accused of committing genocide and the worst crimes by the International Criminal Courts and by the conscience of humanity, considers itself to be at the point of nominating someone else who is also accused of committing aggression against an independent country as a candidate for peace, and this is very regrettable."
He continued: "At the same time, we know that this issue should not be given too much importance. The same award has also been given to someone like Shimon Peres." Therefore, it is not possible to give much importance to such awards, especially in the current world, and it must be said, poor Nobel and poor peace.
Baghaei emphasized: In a just and ideal world, one of the people who is entitled to receive the Nobel Peace Prize is Ms. Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who, despite all the pressures and threats, considers herself a defender of the rights of the Palestinian people.
Europe and America owe a great debt to the Iranian nation
In response to a question regarding the European and American requests to Iran regarding the issue of negotiations, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “There is no originality, seriousness, or goodwill in these requests. However, as I mentioned earlier, a meeting with the European parties is scheduled to be held on Friday within the framework of the negotiations.”
He added: “The European and American parties owe a great debt to the Iranian nation, and the reason for this is clear because Iran has always adhered to the path of diplomacy, dialogue, and negotiation over the past two decades.”
He added: “If the opposing parties look at their performance with a little fairness, they should be grateful to the Iranian nation that, despite widespread breaches of commitments, continues to take a responsible step on the path of diplomacy.”
Baghaei noted: “You cannot commit military aggression against a nation in the middle of a diplomatic process and at the same time claim dialogue and peace.” This contradiction goes beyond the conflict in speech and behavior.
Stating that the necessity for these talks to take place is for the other side to show seriousness in a way that any person with average intelligence would believe that when they talk about talks, they are serious about this matter, he continued: "This has not been proven to us so far, and on the contrary, their actions have shown that, unfortunately, they have used talks as a tool to advance their war-mongering goals."
We have good consultations with China and Russia on economic issues
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question regarding Iran's consultations with China and Russia on oil exports and trade and economic issues: "In the talks we have with China, as one of Iran's most important trading partners and within the framework of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement between the two countries, there will definitely be discussions and exchanges of views on various issues, including trade and economic cooperation."
He emphasized: In the contacts and consultations between Iranian officials and the Chinese or Russian parties, the discussion of economic cooperation is one of the constant topics of discussion.
Baghaei continued: All three countries, Iran, China and Russia, are members of two important international groupings, namely BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The BRICS summit was recently held in Brazil, and good bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines. Also, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Foreign Ministers' Meeting was also held, which is considered a prelude to the upcoming summit.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said: Within this framework, Iran has good consultations with China and Russia, both bilaterally and within the framework of regional groupings and arrangements.
The threat of abusing the SnapBack mechanism process should not be given much importance
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question that analysts believe that the insistence of European countries to use the SnapBack mechanism against Iran is a justification for attacks on Iran: We do not see any moral, legal, or political basis for resorting to the trigger mechanism. Other countries agree with us, and Russia and China also have a similar position with us.
He continued: The opposing parties have used all means of threat, intimidation, and pressure against the Iranian nation in these years, and their effort is to restore the resolutions that were enacted against Iran between 2006 and 2010.
Baghaei told the questioning reporter: If it is a question of war, we saw that both the Zionist regime and the United States committed military aggression against Iran, so I think that we should not give much importance to the threat that the opposing parties are making to restore sanctions by abusing a process (the SnapBack mechanism).
Recourse to the SnapBack mechanism, even more than a month ago, is meaningless, unjustifiable, and illegal
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, continuing his conversation with reporters in response to another question regarding the trigger mechanism, said: Iran's position on the JCPOA has always been consistent, uniform, principled, and legal. Recently, Dr. Araghchi, in a letter to the UN Secretary-General, members of the Security Council, and the European Union's foreign policy chief, once again explained Iran's legal positions in this regard.
Baghaei added: Recourse to the SnapBack mechanism, even more than a month ago, is meaningless, unjustifiable, and illegal.
In another part of his speech on this subject, he said: Iran's reduction of JCPOA commitments was carried out after the US withdrew from the JCPOA and the one-year opportunity given to the European parties, and it was carried out completely legally and in accordance with the provisions of the JCPOA itself.
He continued: “European countries were not only negligent and at fault in implementing their JCPOA commitments, but after the Zionist regime’s military aggression against Iran, they not only did not condemn these attacks but also sought to justify this aggression with some positions.”
Stating that “America and the Zionist regime changed the subject matter of the issue by attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities,” he added: “As mentioned, European countries have no moral, political, or legal justification for using a resolution that they themselves caused to be unimplemented. Of course, we understand that the world is not based on law and justice, and they are using this tool to threaten Iran.”
He added: “Finally, if the threat to activate the SnapBack mechanism is implemented, this action will mean that Europe does not consider itself to have any role in future negotiation processes with Iran and deprives itself of any role in this regard.”
We will spare no effort to facilitate the travel of Afghan pilgrims to Iraq
Regarding Iran's preparations to facilitate the participation of Afghan people in the Arbaeen procession through Iranian borders, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We are a gateway or passage for citizens of other countries to Iraq, and in fact, Iraq is the destination."
He continued: "In this context, last week, a trilateral meeting was held between Iran, Pakistan, and Iraq at the level of interior ministers, the main topic of which was facilitating the travel of Pakistani pilgrims to Iraq. Therefore, this is an issue that we will definitely follow up seriously and carefully, as in previous years, and we will spare no effort to facilitate the travel of Afghan pilgrims to Iraq, in consultation and coordination with the Iraqi government."
The Iranian nation shared everything they had with Afghan brothers and sisters for 5 decades
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also responded to another question from the AVA Afghanistan News Agency reporter in Iran regarding the return of illegal Afghan refugees to their country, stating: The issue of facilitating the voluntary return of Afghan refugees is on the agenda. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been the largest host of refugees for the past five decades, and in these five decades, the Iranian nation kindly and generously shared everything they had with Afghan brothers and sisters.
He continued: The international community has repeatedly emphasized the responsible and ethical approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation in hosting Afghan refugees.
Stating that “what has been done in the past year is organizing the issue of asylum and immigration,” Baghaei emphasized: This issue must be done legally. We have no problem with legal immigration.
He emphasized: Carrying out this process in a coherent manner and in a way that respects the dignity of individuals is certainly our concern and attention, and for this reason, we have always followed up on this issue in close consultation and contact with the relevant authorities of the interim Afghan government.
Baghaei stated: In the past three or four days, these interactions have increased; both from local authorities in Herat and from this side of the border from the Islamic Republic of Iran. The High Commissioner for Refugees is also scheduled to visit Iran soon.
This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated: Our demand from the international community, especially aid organizations, especially the High Commissioner for Refugees, has always been to help the Islamic Republic of Iran in this hosting, but unfortunately, this has not only not been achieved in the past few decades, but due to our exposure to cruel sanctions, we have been deprived of receiving assistance that is traditionally provided to refugee-hosting countries.
Baghaei added: We are pleased that the High Commissioner for Refugees is closely following up and acknowledging the importance and magnitude of the challenge we have been facing for decades. We expect that his presence on both sides of the border will provide a more realistic view for the High Commissioner for Refugees and help the international community to support the issue of Afghan refugees.
Contacts between Iran and Egypt continue at a growing pace
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said about Iran-Egypt relations and the latest developments in this regard: Despite the fact that we do not have normal diplomatic relations with Egypt, contacts and consultations between the two countries have been ongoing regularly and continuously for the past seven to eight months.
Baqaei emphasized: We have common views with Egypt in many areas, especially considering the developments of the past few weeks.
He noted: The talks and contacts between the two countries continue at a growing pace, and we hope that the understandings and trust established between the two countries will lead to good decisions at the level of bilateral relations.
Stopping Israeli crimes in Gaza should be the main demand
In response to a question about the recent telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Iran and Switzerland, the Foreign Ministry spokesman stated: These calls are a continuation of the continuous contacts that we have with different countries. In these calls, we discuss and consult on bilateral relations and international and regional issues.
Baghaei continued: Regional countries in particular, as well as countries beyond the region, follow developments in the region and West Asia, and no responsible government wants to witness conflict and tension in the West Asia region.
The senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran continued: "The reality is that in these contacts we are asking all countries to force the Zionist regime to stop its excesses and expansionism."
Stating that "stopping Israel's crimes in Gaza should be the main demand," Baqaei said: "The failure to deal with the Zionist regime has caused the crisis to spread and this regime's attack on Syria, Lebanon and other regions in West Asia."
He emphasized: "We will clearly express our views on regional and international issues in the talks."
Serious concern about the Zionist regime's aggression is not a speculation
In response to a question regarding the Zionist regime's attacks on areas in Syria and the publication of some analyses stating that the Zionist regime's attacks may not be limited to this extent and may also spread to countries such as Iraq and Turkey, the Foreign Ministry spokesman stated: "Regarding the Zionist regime's attacks on Syria, we expressed our positions in a media statement and emphasized the need to maintain the unity, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty of Syria."
Baghaei emphasized: "The actions of the Zionist regime are definitely a gross violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, and there is no justification or reason for these aggressions. At the same time, and since the Zionist regime does not recognize any limits for encroaching on other countries, these actions are meaningful. While it is repeatedly violating the ceasefire in Lebanon and while it is engaged in genocide in occupied Palestine, it continues its aggressive actions in other countries.
He noted: "One of the important points is that all the countries in the region have taken a position on this issue. Serious concern about the aggression of the Zionist regime is not a guess. If you look at the trends of the last eight decades, the Zionist regime has continuously imposed wars on other countries, and therefore, in our region, any country can definitely consider itself exposed to the aggression and aggression of the Zionist regime."
Baqaei also emphasized in response to another question in this regard: The Zionist regime seeks to weaken Islamic countries and divide these countries, and one of its strategies in this regard is to use possible differences between ethnic groups and religions in these countries.
We value the relationship with Pakistan very much
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question regarding the recent consultations and talks between Iran and Pakistani officials and the goals of these talks: Regarding Pakistan, I need to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the government and people of this country for the terrible flood that occurred in this country in recent days.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman continued: "Our relations with Pakistan are a long-standing relationship based on religious, cultural and civilizational ties, and we value them very much. Recent contacts between officials from the two countries have naturally been about bilateral relations. Of course, following the Zionist regime's aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, these contacts have increased. We have many contacts with Pakistan, as an Islamic country that has great interest in the Iranian people. We think that the President's visit to Pakistan will take place in the coming weeks, which itself shows our good and deep relations with Pakistan.
The claims about Iran's enrichment should be seen in the context of internal disputes and debates in the United States
In response to a question about the claims of former US Secretary of State (Blinken) that Iran had agreed to enrichment below one percent and the purpose of this former American official in making these claims, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: The purpose of such statements should be asked to them themselves, what is their intention.
He added: But there was no such thing. These claims should be seen and analyzed in the context of the internal disputes and debates in the United States; debates that have been ongoing between the two parties and therefore should be assessed in that context and not as factual statements.
Attacks on Iranian nationals residing in the United States are contrary to the principles and foundations of human rights
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said in response to another question regarding the arrest of a number of Iranian nationals in the United States, including the arrest of an Iranian father in front of his child's kindergarten in Washington: "We have taken a position on the media level regarding the incidents that have taken place against Iranian citizens and nationals residing in the United States. There have been attacks and arrests in the past month, and these actions are both contrary to the principles and foundations of human rights and indicate the racist approach of those in charge of security and law enforcement in the United States. A group of Iranians residing in the United States have been subjected to arrest and other harassment simply because of their Iranian citizenship." We have also officially pursued this issue through the US Interests Protection Office in Tehran and also through the Interests Protection Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the US (Pakistan Embassy in Washington) and have emphasized the necessity of Iranian nationals having access to consular rights.
Addressing the reporter, Baghaei continued: “In the case of the specific citizen you mentioned, the accusation that has been raised is the same stereotypical accusation of “circumventing sanctions.” Basically, the US sanctions against Iran are illegal and we do not see any legal basis for them. However, the US has prosecuted and indicted a large number of Iranian nationals on this basis over the past few decades. This particular case is also being pursued specifically by the Interests Protection Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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