Baghaei: Iran's normal procedures as NPT member continue

Tehran - BORNA - Esmail Baghaei, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, held his weekly press briefing on Tuesday with the presence of domestic and foreign journalists at the Foreign Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman, referring to Ashura culture and its manifestation in poetry, literature, and the lives of Iranian people during difficult tests, said: "Ashura, before being a narrative of battle, is a narrative of human endurance in defending dignity and honor, and this is a message observable in the behavior and culture of Iranians at historical crossroads."

No meeting with IAEA chief in Geneva

In response to a question about whether the Iranian delegation met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during their trip to Geneva, he said: "No, we did not meet with the Director General."

No plan for IAEA inspection of damaged facilities

Baghaei also responded to a question about whether IAEA inspectors are scheduled to visit Iran's nuclear facilities damaged during US and Zionist regime attacks, saying: "We have no plan for IAEA inspection of facilities damaged during US and Zionist regime military aggression, and essentially no procedure exists in this regard."

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added: "As a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, we continue our normal procedures, and this normal procedure is clear."

Appreciation and criticism over IAEA resolution

Referring to the recent IAEA Board of Governors resolution against Iran, he stated: "I take this opportunity to thank countries that acted responsibly and voted against or abstained from this resolution. We are also very disappointed with some regional countries that, despite witnessing American actions and crimes, voted in favor of this resolution."

Esmail Baghaei also provided a report on the latest developments in the country's foreign policy and the Switzerland negotiations.

Europeans sidelined due to their behavior on Iran over past two years

Iran's negotiating team spokesman said regarding the French Foreign Minister's remarks about European role in the Security Council on Iran sanctions: "What goes around comes around. Europeans have been sidelined due to their behavior over the past one or two years. We should not forget that during the so-called 'snapback' saga, European parties showed no will and behaved very irresponsibly."

He added: "During the two imposed wars against the Islamic Republic of Iran, they adopted inappropriate positions. The world has witnessed this behavior. This irresponsible behavior will certainly not enhance the credibility and standing of European parties. If Europe wants to play a role in international issues, it must change its approaches and decide to act independently and responsibly. Whining will not change Europe's position."

Oil sales licenses became effective yesterday

The Foreign Ministry spokesman, in response to a question about speculation regarding restrictions on Iran's use of released assets and claims that Iran can only purchase grains from the United States, said: "It is also interesting to us that the war objective they had previously announced – destroying Iran's civilization and bringing about Iran's collapse – has been reduced to enriching American farmers. We will decide on released assets however we deem expedient or in the country's interest. Regarding purchasing goods, our Agriculture Ministry and other relevant authorities will decide however they see fit. There are no restrictions. The licenses issued for oil sales became effective yesterday. The same applies to other matters, especially regarding the use of blocked or restricted assets."

He continued: "The Central Bank governor gave a detailed explanation yesterday. What matters is that the blocked assets are available for Iran to use freely, however it deems appropriate to procure goods needed by the country."

Talks continued via message exchange after offensive and threatening US statements

Regarding US Vice President Vance's claim that the Iranian delegation did not leave the negotiation session after Trump's threats, Baghaei said: "I have always promised to tell the truth, not a narrative. The meeting between Iran, the US, and the two mediators started at 3 PM (local time). It lasted about an hour and a half, and it was agreed to continue after a short half-hour break. At that time, we were faced with offensive and threatening statements by US officials. The four-way meeting was not held afterward, and the discussions that continued were through message exchange via the mediators."

The Iranian negotiating team spokesman said: "After deciding to suspend the four-way negotiations, we had no direct contact with the American side. Of course, we use every tool to defend Iran's national interests and advance the country's goals. It was expedient to continue the exchange of messages, and you witnessed the results."

In response to another question about the timing of sanctions lifting on oil and its derivatives, he said: "The license for this matter was issued yesterday by the US Treasury, and from the moment of issuance, it has been implementable."

Iran will not forgo compensation from regional countries that cooperated in attacks

In response to a question about US officials acknowledging that countries such as Jordan and Kuwait cooperated in attacks on Iran, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Iran has sufficient evidence to prove that some regional countries played an active role in the attacks, adding that Iran will not overlook this and will pursue documentation and claims.

Baghaei said: "The fact that US officials have acknowledged this multiplies the responsibility of these countries. The Zionist regime and US action in attacking Iran was a criminal act, and any party that in any way assisted in this criminal act bears international responsibility, and we will use every opportunity to pursue this matter."

Defensive and missile capabilities will never be subject to negotiations

Baghaei said in response to a question about whether missile issues were discussed in the negotiations or will be discussed: "Absolutely not. Defensive and missile capabilities have not been part of Iran's discussions and will never be a subject of negotiation."

Welcoming any initiative for collective regional security

Regarding Qatar's Foreign Minister announcing a future meeting between Iran and regional countries, Baghaei said: "We have always emphasized that security in the region must be provided by regional countries, and a mechanism should be established in this regard. We are committed to this principle, and we had previously proposed such dialogues ourselves."

He emphasized: "We welcome any initiative aimed at collective security in the region without the interference of foreign military forces, and we are ready to discuss it with regional countries."

Response to France's remarks on UN sanctions

In response to an question about France's recent position that lifting UN sanctions on Iran is not possible without Paris's approval, Baghaei said: "Such claims are empty talk. Some European countries have unfortunately become accustomed to sidelining themselves from international processes while simultaneously seeking to undermine and obstruct any process. I do not think such approaches and behavior are befitting of a country like France. If France wishes to be known as a responsible country with standing in the international arena, it must reconsider its approaches and adopt a logical stance toward developments in our region instead of making such statements."

Baghaei also criticized European countries' performance over the past year, saying: "Unfortunately, European countries have turned their backs on the very values they claim to monopolize, including the rule of law, respect for international law, UN Charter principles, and human rights."

On the release of Iran's blocked assets

Regarding the process of releasing Iran's blocked assets, Baghaei said: "What matters is that we have access to these assets. As for the details, that is up to the United States. You must consider the text of the memorandum of understanding. What concerns us is the other side fulfilling its commitment."

We did not go to Switzerland for media or publicity work

Baghaei said about reporters leaving the negotiation venue: "We did not go to Switzerland for media or publicity work. Our goal was clear – to demand from the other side and pursue our demands. Anything that would overshadow this main goal was unnecessary, and we felt there was no need for such media programs."

On the US poll showing three-quarters of Americans want war to end

Baghaei said: "This is an imposed war that the US and the Zionist regime imposed on Iran and the region. This war has also imposed a heavy cost on Americans, the region, and our country. It is entirely natural that the American people want this illegal and criminal war to end and do not support their officials' actions in imposing it. Not just the American people, but the entire world has declared its opposition to US actions in imposing wars."

Nuclear issue to be discussed alongside sanctions lifting within 60-day period

Baghaei said regarding the nuclear issue in the Switzerland talks: "The nuclear issue, alongside sanctions lifting, is set to be discussed within the 60-day period according to the memorandum of understanding. The text of the memorandum is clear on this matter. The start of negotiations on these two issues is contingent on the implementation of specific clauses. We are working to ensure that all these clauses are realized as prerequisites for starting negotiations. Some matters have been realized and some are being implemented. But in Switzerland, beyond general statements of positions by the Americans, we had no detailed discussions on the nuclear issue. They stated their positions, and we gave appropriate responses. The same applied to sanctions. They raised matters in very general terms. To start negotiations on these two issues, we must see how the situation develops according to the memorandum of understanding."

On Afghan citizens attending the martyred leader's funeral

Baghaei said: "We certainly expect many Afghan citizens to participate in this historic ceremony, and necessary measures have been taken by Iran's embassy in Kabul and consulates in Afghanistan. We will not hesitate to take any action to facilitate this."

Commitment in exchange for commitment

In response to a question about whether there is a clear operational mechanism if the Zionist regime continues attacks on Lebanon, Baghaei said: "We have used all tools with a responsible approach to ensure both sides fulfill their commitments. Our counterpart under the memorandum is the US government. We emphasize the principle of 'commitment in exchange for commitment.' If the other side does not fulfill its commitments, it should not expect Iran to unilaterally continue fulfilling its obligations. We hope that the mechanism established in Switzerland regarding Lebanon will be an effective step in implementing Clause 1 of the understanding."

Baghaei said: "What was issued yesterday was the necessary license for the sale of Iran's oil, petrochemical products, and petroleum derivatives along with all required facilities. This means that insurance, transportation, and banking issues must be addressed under this license. Regarding other sanctions, one of America's commitments under the memorandum is to be discussed within the 60-day timeframe. America's commitment to lifting all sanctions – both secondary and primary, as well as sanctions imposed at the level of international organizations – is clear. This matter should naturally be discussed in the coming days, and we hope it will reach a conclusion."

Ghalibaf to travel to China

Baghaei said in response to a question from a Chinese media outlet about reports of Ghalibaf's trip to China: "Mr. Ghalibaf is scheduled to travel to China, but regarding the timing, the Parliament's Public Relations Department will certainly announce it."

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said regarding the President's trip to Pakistan that the visit is to a neighboring and friendly country, emphasizing that Pakistan has played an important role in mediating between Iran and the US over the past two to three months.

Baghaei said: "In recent months, Pakistani officials at various levels have made numerous visits to Iran. This visit is in response to previous Pakistani visits and aims to develop bilateral relations, which are very important to us."

He stressed that details of the visit will be announced by the President's office.

Iran's main concern: safeguarding national interests

In response to a question about Iran's "main concern" following recent developments in the negotiations, Baghaei said: "Iran's concern is preserving and securing the national interests of the Iranian people. There is no ambiguity about what rights and interests Iran seeks to secure through diplomacy."

Future relations with UAE: cooperation during aggression will not be forgotten

Baghaei noted: "The future of the region and relations with regional countries cannot remain unaffected by the developments of recent months. We have suffered great damage from the inappropriate behavior of some regional countries and their cooperation with American and Israeli aggressors. This will remain in the collective memory of Iranians. We expect countries that cooperated with the US and Israel during this war to use every opportunity to compensate for what happened."

He added: "We insist that relations between regional countries should be based on mutual respect and good neighborliness, but we cannot forget the bitter experience of US and Israeli aggression against Iran and the cooperation of some regional countries with these aggressions."

Timeline and working group for asset release

In response to a question about whether there is a timeline and working group for releasing Iran's assets, Baghaei said: "We have a working group for monitoring the implementation of commitments by both sides. But regarding the specific issue of releasing Iran's assets, we need to have free access to these assets so that our Central Bank can spend on procuring needed goods."

Oman coordination for safe shipping during Ghalibaf visit

Baghaei said: "Iran and Oman are the two littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, and coordination between the two sides is necessary to ensure safe passage of ships. Discussions and coordination are ongoing. This issue was also reviewed during Ghalibaf's visit to Muscat."

No concessions from US, but reclaimed rights

Responding to a question about what commitments Iran has given in exchange for concessions from the US, Baghaei emphasized: "We should always keep in mind that we did not receive concessions from the US; we succeeded in reclaiming part of Iran's violated rights. When we speak of Iran's blocked or restricted assets, we are not speaking of concessions. These assets belonged to the Iranian people. Regarding the lifting of the US naval blockade, this was an illegal action imposed by the US."

US military withdrawal timeline under the memorandum

Baghaei said: "There are two specific commitments in the memorandum. First, within 30 days after the final agreement, US military forces must withdraw from the surrounding region of Iran. This is stated in Clause 4 of the memorandum and will be discussed in detail during the negotiations. The other commitment is that the US will not add to its military forces in the region during the negotiation period. We are carefully monitoring both issues. Regarding Clause 4, we must reach conclusions during the upcoming talks and negotiations."

Iranian citizens detained in Kuwait

Regarding the status of four Iranian citizens detained in Kuwait, Baghaei said: "Unfortunately, Kuwaiti authorities continue to evade their legal obligations under international treaties. The Kuwaiti government is obligated to provide consular access. Our embassy is pursuing the matter, and Kuwait's disregard for its commitments under international law is absolutely unacceptable to us. We hope they will reconsider as soon as possible."

Focusing on US commitments, not future partnerships

In response to a question about whether trust-based economic relations with the US could be established if it adheres to the memorandum, Baghaei said: "We are currently focused on the implementation of US commitments. Based on very bitter experiences of anti-Iranian US behavior, we have a very long path ahead. We prefer to focus on what is currently the main issue: ending the war and ensuring US compliance with its commitments under the memorandum."

Objectives of Ghalibaf and Araghchi's visit to Oman

Baghaei said: "One of the objectives of the visit is to strengthen Iran-Oman relations. Our relations with Oman are very privileged. Oman's positions during the aggression against Iran were responsible, and we appreciate Oman's responsible approach. Oman has played an important role over the past 10-20 years in preventing tensions and advancing diplomacy. Oman has an important role regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and this visit will also involve further coordination discussions."

Why no media appearance or handshake with US officials in Switzerland

Baghaei said: "Our goal in this trip was to pursue the implementation of the other side's commitments. We never intended to engage in processes that could overshadow the main issue from the beginning. The reason was very clear."

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