Baghaei: U.S. Diplomacy Has Zero Credibility After 70 Treaty Withdrawals

Tehran - BORNA - Esmaeil Baghaei, the Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at the beginning of his weekly press conference with domestic and foreign journalists, referring to the passage of 38 days of the war imposed by the U.S. and the Zionist regime against Iran, said: "This was a war that they started unjustly, and through their criminal actions, they have outshone the greatest human criminals. They have committed crimes that even Hitler and the Nazis did not commit during the war."

Attacking Scientific, Research, and Academic Centers is Nothing but Hostility Toward Development and Progress

Stating that the criminals in the last 12 hours, through their criminal action, martyred six children, including four girls and two boys in Qom, he noted: "In the early hours of Monday, they attacked Sharif University, which is a manifestation of hard work and knowledge, with bunker-buster bombs."

Baghaei said that Sharif University is the fifth university that has been attacked by criminals in the recent period.

The spokesperson for the diplomatic apparatus noted: "The attack on scientific and research centers is meaningful and has no meaning other than the opposition and malice of the Americans and the Israeli regime toward everything that is the basis of development and progress."

America Left No Credibility for Diplomacy

In response to a question regarding the statements of a U.S. official concerning the issue of an agreement with Iran and the deadlines they specify in this regard, and whether any credibility can be granted to these issues and comments, he said: "If I want to answer in one word, I must say no. America, with the actions it has taken especially in the last year, has left no credibility for its diplomacy, and these actions are not merely related to the last year. America has repeatedly broken its promises in the international arena, just as in the last few months it has withdrawn from about 70 international documents and treaties."

This Iranian diplomat emphasized: "America's statements regarding diplomacy are not consistent with the actions of this country."

Referring also to the attack carried out on the residence of Mr. Kamal Kharrazi, the Secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, and the martyrdom of his wife and the injury of Mr. Kharrazi himself, he said: "All of this indicates their disregard for anything that has a sign of diplomacy."

Regarding Peace, We Will Act Based on Specified Mechanisms

While expressing sympathy with the family of Kamal Kharrazi, Baghaei continued: "Our duty regarding war and peace is clear; in times when it is necessary to defend the integrity of the country, we act under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief and the mechanisms specified in this regard, and regarding peace, we will act based on the specified mechanisms in the Constitution and the decisions of high-ranking institutions such as the Supreme National Security Council."

This Foreign Ministry official added: "At a time when the enemies do not observe any red lines and have intensified their attacks, our thoughts must be focused on defending the country with all our might. Currently, our armed forces are sacrificing their lives and defending the integrity of the country, and our duty is to support this epic and sacrifice in any way we can."

In response to the question of whether a new plan between Iran and the U.S. has been proposed regarding the issue of peace—considering some media comments and news raised in international media—the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said: "As I have said before, a few days ago, issues and ideas were raised by mediators, and in this regard, a plan known as the '15-point plan' was proposed by the Americans, which was transmitted to us by several friendly countries, including Pakistan. We announced at that time that this plan is intensely expansionist, unreasonable, and irrational, and is effectively not acceptable to us."

Baghaei continued: "Based on the interests and considerations we have, we have compiled the set of demands we had and have; we are not ashamed to shout our wants and demands, and if we raise our wants and demands against a plan, it should not be interpreted as relenting to the enemy."

He said: "Our basis is security, national interests, and our rightful demands. Our armed forces are sacrificing their lives in the field, and we in the diplomatic apparatus are performing our duties and responsibilities and moving them forward. Iran knows what it wants and we are not willing to accept just anything; our red lines are clear, our demands are transparent and plain."

Our Positions Have Been Conveyed Through Mediators and Message Transmission Continues

Baghaei continued: "From the moment these discussions were raised, we compiled our response and will provide information on the manner of announcing it whenever necessary. It is not a strange thing that mediators transmit the viewpoints of both parties. Our positions have been conveyed through mediators and the transmission of messages still continues."

The spokesperson for the diplomatic apparatus emphasized: "Negotiation is not compatible with giving ultimatums and threats of war crimes. We have very bitter experiences of negotiating with America. We have not gained these experiences easily to ignore them easily. While the enemies are increasing the volume of their crimes, all our intelligence and focus must be on defending the country, and the diplomatic apparatus is also performing its duty in this area."

Trump's Threats are War Crimes

Regarding the threats also raised by the U.S. President, he said: "Undoubtedly, the very act of expressing these threats is committing a war crime and normalizing it."

In response to the question that some media outlets suggested an American pilot has been arrested in Isfahan, he said: "We must ask the military forces about this issue; I cannot comment on this, but regarding the principle of this issue and the events that took place in connection with it, which led to a disastrous failure for America, there are serious questions."

The Probability That the U.S. Operation in Southern Isfahan Was to Steal Uranium Should Not Be Ignored

In response to the question that some believe the American operation in southern Isfahan was to steal uranium, he clarified: "The questions and ambiguities regarding this operation, which was a violation of the country's airspace, are very many. The area where it was claimed the American pilot was present was Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and that is a long distance from where they (the Americans) landed troops, and the probability that it was a rapid operation to steal uranium should not be ignored under any circumstances. What is clear is that the result of their action was nothing but 'Tabas 2'."

The Foreign Ministry Spokesman continued: "This operation was a disastrous operation for the Americans, and it is appropriate in this regard to appreciate and thank the role of the people of that region, including the Lur people, in defending the sovereignty of the country. Iranians have shown that wherever the issue of the homeland and defending the homeland is concerned, their capabilities for defending the country multiply."

The Americans Had a Hand in All the Blood Shed in January

In response to a question that last night Trump announced that the U.S. sent weapons for the rioters of January in Iran, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman stated: "This is an explicit confession regarding what was stated by our officials in January, and this confession itself shows that the Americans had a hand in all the blood shed in January, and we are in sorrow for the compatriots who lost their lives in these incidents."

The Agency's (IAEA) Approach is Disastrous

In response to a question about the approach of the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, including the Bushehr power plant, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman clarified: "The Agency's approach is disastrous. Unfortunately, the IAEA, instead of condemning these crimes, has acted in line with normalizing these attacks. The statements and interviews of the Director General himself have gone out of bounds, and he is acting beyond the technical duties specified for him as the Director General of the Agency, and we are witnessing, in a way, his cooperation and justification for the crimes being committed by America against Iran's nuclear facilities."

Baghaei continued: "The member countries of the Agency and the Director General himself must fulfill their duties, and Mr. Grossi must realize that his name is recorded in the eyes of the Iranian people as a part of this crime being carried out against Iran."

Regarding the claim that U.S. officials arrested one of the relatives of Martyr Soleimani in America, he stated: "The first reaction to this is that Martyr Soleimani is so great that American officials still talk about him after several years and feel threatened by anyone who has a name similar to him. The family of Martyr Soleimani announced in response to this news that none of their relatives are present in America or outside the country, and the person arrested merely had a name similarity. But the fact that the Americans speak of this as if they have achieved a 'Great Victory' (Fath-ol-Fotuuh) shows how they have reached the bottom of the barrel to use such issues."

He added: "Of course, we as the Foreign Ministry are duty-bound to defend the rights of the individual arrested in America as an Iranian citizen. In this regard, the necessary instructions have been given to the Interests Section of Iran in Washington."

There is Absolutely No Difference or Division Within the Sovereignty of the Country Regarding the War

Baghaei continued: "In my opinion, there is absolutely no difference or division within the sovereignty pillars of the country. Our people are standing like a unified fist to frustrate the greed of the enemies. The duty of war and peace is specified in the Constitution, and the sovereignty pillars have shown that they are present on the scene with one voice and one heart, determined to confront the greed of the enemies, and what is occasionally raised in this regard is media hype."

Regional Countries Should Be Wary of 'False Flag' Operations

In response to a question about False Flag operations carried out by enemies, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said: "The issue of the False Flag is not a mere claim. We witnessed events carried out by enemies using a False Flag. We have announced every target we attacked, and emphasized that our defensive actions against aggressors should not be interpreted as an attack on neighboring countries; in fact, our actions are carried out against the source of the attacks, not aggression against neighboring countries."

He continued: "In cases where projectiles were fired at targets that were not from Iran, the Foreign Ministry and the armed forces explicitly declared their position and said Iran's target was not these targets. It is not unlikely that False Flag operations will be repeated by enemies, and regional countries and others must be wary of such operations."

Regarding the recent meeting between Iran and Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz, he said: "This meeting was held on Saturday at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers. Iran and Oman are two coastal countries of the Strait of Hormuz; the safe passage of ships through this strait is of interest to both countries."

Referring to the policies announced by Iran during the war regarding transit through this strait and emphasizing that Iran's actions in this regard have been based on international law, he said: "The transit of ships through this strait requires a specific protocol, and we, as a country that considers the security of this waterway as part of our national security, decided to start talks with Oman to review a protocol and guideline regarding the safe passage of ships."

A Temporary Ceasefire Means a Pause in the War with the Aim of Regrouping by the Aggressors

Baghaei, emphasizing that the deadlines raised by U.S. officials do not cause us to hesitate in defending our country's integrity, spoke on the reason for Iran's opposition to a temporary ceasefire: "The reason is the experience we possess. A ceasefire means a pause in the war with the aim of the aggressors regrouping and carrying out more attacks against Iran."

He emphasized: "We must use all our capabilities to frustrate the enemies, and there is a kind of division of labor in this field. The armed forces and the diplomatic apparatus perform their duties toward this single goal, and the people in the field are the real backup of the armed forces and diplomacy."

Baghaei also thanked the anti-war marches and support from countries including Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkey: "We thank and appreciate the insightful people of the region and other countries who supported the Iranian nation."

Iranians are Not Going to be Overpowered by Trump's Deadlines

Once again regarding Trump's threats and the deadlines he sets for an agreement, he said: "Iranians, in defending the country, are not going to be overpowered by such deadlines. Our armed forces have shown how they act against any encroachment."

Baghaei emphasized: "In this war, Iran is not only defending its own integrity but is defending an order based on international law, and it is the duty of countries to be aware that the normalization of U.S. and Israeli crimes will not be limited to the borders of West Asia."

Actions are Being Taken to Facilitate the Safe Passage of Non-Hostile Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz

Regarding the passage of tankers with the Pakistani flag through the Strait of Hormuz and consultations some countries have had with Iran, he noted: "We have said very clearly that the reason for implementing monitoring measures by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz is to prevent misuse by America, the Zionist regime, and their allies. Countries that are not part of this hostility can have their vessels pass safely through coordination with the Iranian Foreign Ministry, and Pakistan is one of those countries."

Regarding the future of West Asia after Iran's victory, he said: "The day after the war with Iran's victory and pride will be a very bright day for the whole region and the world. Iran's victory means the victory of defending the sovereignty of law, international law, and human dignity."

Referring to Iran's interaction with regional countries before this war, he said: "Did Iran fire any projectile toward these countries before February 28? Before these events, was the Strait of Hormuz not open? Regional countries had a high place in Iran's foreign policy. We even kept a country like Bahrain, with which we had no diplomatic relations, informed of our negotiations with the Americans. If the space of neighboring countries was not used for attacking Iran, we would not have allowed even a drone to fly in their airspace."

Diplomatic Relations Between Iran and the UAE are Established

Regarding relations with the UAE and pursuing the problems created for a segment of Iranians in the UAE, he said: "Diplomatic relations are established. Our consulate in Dubai is active, and we have carefully monitored all complaints, including harassments and infringements on their rights, and are following up on solving their issues. The Emiratis themselves admit that Iranians living in this country have had a significant share in its progress."

In response to a question regarding the purchase of Iranian oil after seven years by India, he said: "The important thing is to see what happened and what analyses we have. Iran has always taken actions to provide for its interests with countries it is in contact with."

Regarding the drone that fell in Shiraz, he stated: "This is an important issue that some regional countries participate in the commission of crimes and aggression by America against Iran, directly or by giving permission. We have repeatedly stated the international responsibility of countries. This issue will definitely be raised with the Chinese side as well."

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