Iran Reviewing Russia’s Draft Proposal on UNSC Resolution 2231 Extension
Tehran - BORNA- At the beginning of his weekly press conference, Baghaei congratulated the nation on National Doctors’ Day, paying tribute to the five Iranian doctors recently martyred in Israeli attacks.
Baghaei highlighted the ongoing regional crises, condemning Israel’s continued crimes in Gaza. He noted that just yesterday, five more journalists were deliberately killed by Israeli forces. “This once again demonstrated that the occupying regime fears truth and the global community becoming aware of its crimes, and seeks to prevent such awareness,” he said.
OIC Meeting Outcomes
The spokesperson referred to the extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Jeddah, noting that “Iran presented concrete proposals, many of which were incorporated into the final statement.”
On Russia’s Draft Resolution
Responding to reports that Russia has prepared a draft resolution for the UNSC to extend Resolution 2231, Baghaei confirmed: “We are aware of this draft and currently reviewing it. Our official position will be announced in due course.”
On Australia’s Diplomatic Action
Regarding Australia’s expulsion of Iranian diplomats and allegations of antisemitism, Baghaei stressed: “Any inappropriate diplomatic action will be met with a response. The accusations are false. The concept of antisemitism does not exist in our culture or history; it is a Western, European phenomenon. Australia’s move appears to be influenced by its domestic developments, particularly recent mass protests against Israeli massacres.”
Relations with South Africa
In response to controversy over a South African military official’s visit to Iran, Baghaei said: “Such exchanges are normal in our relations with South Africa. What is abnormal is the illegal intervention of U.S. officials questioning a sovereign country’s decisions.”
Talks with Europe and the Snapback Mechanism
Baghaei reaffirmed that Iran’s red line in talks with Europe is its national interest. Addressing concerns about “downplaying” the significance of the snapback mechanism, he said: “We are not underestimating its importance and are fully aware of the negative consequences. However, European parties lack the legal and moral legitimacy to invoke it. While we reject such an action, we are also taking broad measures to prevent it from materializing.”
President’s Participation in Shanghai Summit
Baghaei announced that President Pezeshkian will attend the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China. “This marks the President’s first trip to China in a year, with bilateral meetings planned alongside the summit,” he said, emphasizing the strength of Iran–China ties, including the ongoing 25-year cooperation agreement.
No Change in Nuclear Talks with Europe
He reiterated that negotiations with Europe remain focused on lifting sanctions and clarifying the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program: “There has been no substantive change in the framework of these talks.”
Energy Cooperation with Russia
On recent remarks by Iran’s ambassador to Moscow regarding gas transfers, Baghaei confirmed: “Our relations with Russia are extensive, covering many fields including energy. We cooperate according to our needs and capacities.”
On Detained Iranian Citizen in France
Providing an update on Mahdieh Esfandiari, the Iranian citizen detained in France, Baghaei said: “Her conditional release has not yet been approved. We continue to believe the process has been unfair and that her detention lacks justification.”
Upcoming Meetings at SCO Summit
Baghaei noted that Iran is arranging bilateral meetings for the President during the SCO summit, with Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian also attending. “All scenarios concerning the possible activation of the snapback mechanism have been considered, but our focus remains on preventing costly developments,” he stressed.
Response to Western Media Reports
Dismissing a report by the UK’s Daily Telegraph claiming that Ali Larijani was advocating for lowering enrichment to 20%, Baghaei said: “Such reports are baseless. This is not the first time the Telegraph has fabricated stories about Iran.”
Visa Issues with China
Baghaei described recent media coverage of long queues at China’s embassy in Tehran as “media mischief,” clarifying that the images were outdated and related to temporary delays following the 12-day war. “This issue has since been resolved,” he said.
On Dialogue with the West
Responding to claims that Iran avoids negotiations, Baghaei stated: “No one can accuse Iran of abandoning talks. It was the U.S. that betrayed diplomacy before the sixth round of Muscat negotiations. We have always been open to talks, including recently with Europe, which remains a party to the JCPOA and UNSC Resolution 2231.”
He added: “Iran has demonstrated goodwill and seriousness in dialogue. It is the other side that repeatedly shifted positions and resorted to coercion when it failed to secure illegitimate gains through negotiation.”
While emphasizing Iran’s unwavering stance, Baghaei also stated: “The only genuine path to lasting security in West Asia is the realization of the rights of the Palestinian people. The Zionist regime’s existence is built on occupation, displacement, and violence, and its current actions clearly illustrate this reality.”
Ukraine's anti-Iranian action will be met with Iranian retaliation
In response to a question about Ukraine unilaterally terminating the 1993 understanding with Iran on visa waiver for Iranian diplomats and what will be Tehran's reaction in this regard? The Foreign Ministry spokesman stated: This action cannot be justified. The Ukrainian government has adopted anti-Iranian positions in recent years by insisting on an anti-Iranian approach due to false reports that Iran supported Russia in the Ukrainian war.
He continued: This action by the Ukrainian government is contrary to international law and bilateral agreements. This action will be met with Iranian retaliation and we are examining its details.
The presence of foreign forces in the region under any pretext disrupts security in the region
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question from an Iraqi media outlet about the process of US military forces withdrawing from Iraq: As far as we know, the withdrawal of US military forces from Iraq is within the framework of a UN resolution. Accordingly, the US military bases in Iraq must be evacuated by the summer of 2026, and what has been done now is part of this process.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman added: This is the decision of the Iraqi government, and we respect it. Of course, as we have said many times, our principled position is that the presence of foreign forces in the region under any pretext disrupts security in the region.
This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran also said in response to another question from this reporter regarding yesterday's talks between the Iranian and Iraqi foreign ministers in Jeddah and the news published about the possible visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister to Tehran in the future: We use every opportunity to consult with our friends. As you mentioned, yesterday, on the sidelines of the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Iraq consulted and discussed with each other. The focus of this meeting was the developments in Gaza, Palestine, and the dangers of the Zionist regime's expansionism in the region.
Baghaei added: “Also, bilateral issues were discussed in this meeting, including the visit of officials from the two countries to Tehran and Baghdad, including the visit of senior Iraqi officials to Iran, and we are making plans in this regard.”
We are interacting with the IAEA on how to interact with it/We are still a member of the NPT
In response to a question about Iran’s relations with the IAEA, Baghaei said: “We are still a member of the NPT and we consider ourselves committed to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Last week, a meeting was held between Iranian diplomats and the IAEA in Vienna, which was a follow-up to the talks held last week in Tehran.
Stating that “we are interacting with the IAEA on how to interact with it,” he said: “The issue should not be underestimated. The US and the Agency bear responsibility for what happened to our facilities. This was an unprecedented action and it was unprecedented for the Agency to be involved in inspecting facilities that had been illegally attacked.”
The Foreign Ministry spokesman added: "It is natural that at this time we need to develop a new procedure and method of working with the Agency, as colleagues are busy with this issue."
No messages were exchanged between Iran and the US during Larijani's meeting with the Swiss official
In response to a question regarding the Swiss National Security Advisor's visit to Tehran last week and his meeting with the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and whether any messages were exchanged between Iran and the US during this meeting, he said: "The Swiss National Security Advisor's visit and the meeting with Ali Larijani were within the framework of normal diplomatic contacts between Iran and Switzerland."
He emphasized: "Switzerland is also the guardian of US interests in Iran, so it is not unnatural that issues related to Iran-US relations are raised in every contact and consultation between officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Switzerland, but to say that any messages were exchanged is not true."
The 3+3 framework is a long-standing framework for consultations on countries in the region and around the South Caucasus
Remains regarding the regional mechanism for resolving disputes between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan In light of the President's remarks yesterday in a conversation with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President said: The 3+3 framework is a long-standing framework for consultations on countries in the region and around the South Caucasus. Several meetings have been held in the countries of the region.
He said: This is a mechanism that has passed its test as an intra-regional mechanism to help resolve disputes between countries in the region, including Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman added: Regardless of developments outside the region, today, perhaps more than ever, the countries of the region have come to the conclusion that they should keep these mechanisms active and work to make them more efficient for resolving disputes and the intervention and activity of trans-regional actors.
The accusation of anti-Semitism against Iran is ridiculous and rejected
In response to another question that, in addition to the accusations that Australia has made against Iran, we have recently witnessed that some European governments have also made accusations against Iranian diplomats. Do you think that we are facing an organized wave in this regard against Iran? The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: The accusations made against Iran, including anti-Semitism, are ridiculous and rejected accusations that do not apply to Iran in any way, considering its history, its view of humanity, and its perspective on this matter. Therefore, this accusation is completely baseless.
He continued: Another action they are making is that Iran has sought to instil insecurity in some European countries, which no one believes because it is a completely fabricated accusation.
In this regard, Baqai added: It seems that some Western countries are trying to follow a projective approach. There is a demand from their own public opinion and from the public opinion of the region for serious action against the crimes of the Zionist regime, and these countries are unable to take effective action to stop the genocide for any reason, and apparently the easiest way is to accuse Iran of charges that have absolutely no real basis in order to divert public opinion from the realities in the region.
He emphasized: The important reality in the region is the continuation of genocide and massacres, and rightly, public opinion in the region considers the United States and some European countries guilty and complicit in these crimes.
European countries are experiencing a kind of contradiction in their policies towards Iran
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said regarding the recent British sanctions against our country: European countries themselves are experiencing a kind of contradiction in their policies towards Iran. On the one hand, they claim to be engaged in dialogue and interaction, and on the other hand, they insist on a confrontational approach, including through the imposition of illegal sanctions, under various pretexts. It is natural that these approaches will affect our talks with these countries.
Baghaei noted: Britain, as one of the three European countries participating in the JCPOA, has committed numerous violations of the JCPOA over the past 10 years. Especially after leaving the European Union and Brexit, this country has been in a way the leader of a series of actions that are contrary to the letter and spirit of the JCPOA. Therefore, the sanctions they have imposed are not only contrary to international law, but will in no way affect the approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran in securing national interests and based on the supreme interests of the country.
We believe that Lebanon should make the best decision regarding its various issues within the framework of Lebanese-Lebanese consultations
In response to a question about Tehran's view on recent developments in Lebanon, including the issues raised in connection with the disarmament of the resistance force in the country, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: Our position on the resistance is a clear position that has been raised many times in the past few weeks. We believe that Lebanon, as an independent state with different components and diverse clans that play a role in it, should be able to make the best decision regarding its various issues, including relations with other parties, through Lebanese-Lebanese consultations.
Baghaei emphasized: "We believe that living with dignity in a region where you are constantly faced with the exaggeration, expansionism, and hegemony of an entity called the Zionist regime, certainly has its own requirements. You are obliged to strengthen your military capabilities to protect territorial integrity, prevent the greed of the Zionist regime, and ensure the security and stability of your countries. This is a lesson that all countries in the region have thought about learning in these two years, much more than in the past."
Last year was a very challenging year for the diplomatic apparatus
This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in response to a question regarding the arrival of Government Week and the performance of the diplomatic apparatus over the past year, said: Regarding Government Week, it is good to congratulate all those who strive to provide services and serve our people this week. Last year was a very challenging year for the diplomatic apparatus. All our efforts since the formation of the 14th government were to rely on the efforts and legacy of the past to protect national interests and to implement new initiatives.
Baghaei emphasized: I think that the Patriotic Defense Period, which was 12 days of defending the country's identity, was a very important and decisive moment; not only for the entire country and all Iranians, but also for the diplomatic apparatus, which, as the forefront of the country, is responsible for explaining the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and defending national interests in the international arena.
We pay attention to anything that ensures national interests and our rights.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also responded to another year of news about the US proposal to form a nuclear consortium in the region, outside of Iran, and Washington's re-emphasis that Iran's enrichment should be zero, saying: "These issues have been raised many times before. As a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Islamic Republic of Iran must enjoy the rights stipulated in it as long as it is a member of this document; as this treaty emphasizes the right of countries to extract peaceful nuclear energy, which includes the issue of enrichment."
Baghaei noted: "We pay attention to anything that serves our national interests and rights. Of course, we also emphasize that we must be cautious about the news that is raised from time to time about this type of proposal, including the US proposal. We cannot view the issues and topics simply without considering the events of the past two months and consider these types of proposals solely based on good faith."
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also explained some of Iran's proposals at yesterday's extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers and included some of them in the final statement of the meeting.
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