Speaking to reporters at his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, Nasser Kanaani said France should avoid aggression and leave discriminatory measures aside.
Kanaani made the remark while referring to the French government's reaction to the unrest in Iran a few months ago, stressing that they did not only offer advice; they made provocative and interfering measures.
People in France have been protesting against the police over the deadly shooting of a 17-year-old who had been a member of a society of refugees in that country.
Iran's stance on the US Special Envoy Robert Malley’s suspension
Asked about the suspension of the US special envoy for Iran, the spokesman said Iran cares about the behavior of the US administration, not the individuals.
Iran’s accession to Shanghai Cooperation Organization
About Iran’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Kanaani said the final steps have been taken towards the accession as it is of benefit to both the Islamic Republic and the member countries.
Iran is capable of playing a positive role in the SCO to help serve the interests of all member states, bring development to the region, and strengthen trade exchanges, the spokesman underlined.
Details about Iran FM's visit to Azerbaijan
Speaking about the forthcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) ministerial meeting in Baku, the spokesman said the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian is scheduled to attend the meeting in Azerbaijan.
A bilateral meeting between the Iranian foreign minister and his Azerbaijani counterpart is also slated, Kanaani announced.
Fortunately, there is a positive atmosphere in Tehran-Baku relations; meanwhile, such meetings can lead to removing misunderstandings and help enhance cooperation, he noted.
Iran welcomes relations with Egypt
Answering a question about relations between Iran and Egypt, the spokesman said that Tehran has already expressed its official stance on the issue, adding that Iran will give a reciprocal response to any positive measure from Egypt.
Latest developments in Tehran-Riyadh ties
In his remarks, the spokesman turned to the issue of relations between the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia, announcing that Iran’s embassy in the Arab country will be opened soon. But Kanaani did not refer to any specific time for that opening.
Also about the trip of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said although no time has been set for the visit, it will take place soon within the framework of fostering bilateral ties.
On March 10, Iran and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement in China announcing that they would resume their diplomatic relations after seven years of tensions.
Change in posts of Iranian diplomats
Elsewhere, the spokesman talked of changes in the appointment of Iran’s ambassadors to various countries, saying that it will continue to serve the country’s national interests.
Kanaani also said that Iran’s diplomatic posts are empty in France and the UK and that the ambassadors will be appointed and their names will be released in due time.
Iran to Sweden: Apology alone is not enough
On the desecration of the Quran in Sweden, Kanaani said the Swedish government has finally heard the voice of Muslims around the world and has realized that apology alone is not enough.
“The Swedish government must prevent the repetition of such offensive actions,” he said, adding that this is what all monotheists and freedom-seeking people in the world expect.
“Islamic countries reacted independently. The Muslim people of the world also reacted. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation held a meeting and expressed the clear views of its members in a statement. Therefore, the demands addressing the Swedish government are quite clear and the Swedish government must prevent the repetition of these events,” he reiterated.
‘Compromise will not turn off Zionist war machine’
Kanaani also referred to the Zionist aggression against Palestinians in Jenin, which began last night, saying the bitter development is a “criminal act” and a “clear example of state terrorism.”
“The Palestinian nation has not committed any crime except defending its natural rights and is defending itself against an occupying regime. The Palestinian people will definitely defeat the Zionist forces once again,” he asserted.
He argued that the Palestinian nation’s defense of their rights through resistance will not reduce the responsibility of international organizations, including the United Nations and the Security Council.
“The international community is responsible with regard to the rights of the Palestinian people, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is expected to act seriously and effectively in this regard,” the spokesman stated.
He added that crime is an intrinsic part of the Zionist regime, and the “recent crime in Jenin showed once again that peace and compromise will not shut down the war machine of this regime, and that this regime is neither trustworthy nor seeking peace.”
Iran pursuing attack on Azeri embassy
Elsewhere in his comments, Kanaani said the issue of following up on the attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy has been emphasized at the highest level by the country’s political, security, and judicial authorities.
“The Judiciary pursued the matter seriously and reached good results, and as far as I know, the meeting of the spokesperson of the Judiciary will be held tomorrow, and he can be asked about this,” he said.
Iran’s commitment to negotiations
Elsewhere, Kanaani said Iran pursues the negotiations on the Iran nuclear agreement with the aim of securing the maximum national interests of the country.
“We have clearly announced our positions to the other side, and recently, we have seen streaks of realism and moving away from the destructive atmosphere on the other parties. However, this is not enough for us, as we remain committed to the negotiation table,” he explained.
Stating that Iran is ready for any scenario in the future, he added, “We continue our balanced foreign policy in relation to different countries regardless of the process and outcome of the negotiations.”
Iran pursues terrorist cases politically, legally
The spokesman replied IRNA correspondent, saying that Iran continues its efforts in respect of the political and legal pursuit of terrorist cases. The Islamic Republic has not failed to follow up the legal pursuit of those who committed terrorist crimes against the Iranian nation.
Kanaani went on to say that certain states resort to terrorist groups and particularly the terrorist sect of the MKO against the Iranian people and claim that they support human rights. They openly host the ringleaders and elements of the group. We have been witnessing unconstructive and problematic moves by the French government concerning the recent meeting of the terrorist sect of the MKO, he added.
He underscored that the French government must answer to the Iranian government and people for supporting the MKO terrorists who have the blood of 17,000 Iranian citizens on their hands; the terrorist group carried out armed terrorist acts against Iranians and it played a role in recent unrest in Iran.
Iran not to surrender to pressure
Touching upon the US sanctions on the Islamic Republic and their impacts on Iran’s trade with other countries, Kanaani noted that the unilateral sanctions were imposed to create obstacles in the way of Iran’s legal economic collaborations with other states and that this is a real issue.
About whether such sanctions can prevent cooperation between Iran and other countries, in particular with a state like China, he said that present outcomes prove that the Islamic Republic has been able to maintain trade exchanges in the sanctions environment, so the US policy of maximum pressure is doomed to failure.
Iran is making all its efforts to lift cruel sanctions and turn them ineffective, Kanaani emphasized.
According to the diplomat, unilateral sanctions are an apparent instance of US crimes against humanity, and the Islamic Republic continues to take necessary measures in this respect.
Iran to react to any breach of trust
Kanaani reacted to reports published by some Western media outlets on Europe’s failure to lift the sanctions included in the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
He argued that media reports are not considered Iran’s criterion for action and decision-making, adding that the transitional date in accordance with the JCPOA occurs in the eighth year after the signing of the nuclear deal in October this year.
Iran, as a responsible signatory to the JCPOA, takes action according to the measures taken by the other signatories, he said, noting that the Islamic Republic will react to any breach of trust by the other sides in the framework of the JCPOA and the mechanisms included in it; to this end, Iran had taken compensatory nuclear steps in reaction to the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA as well as Europe’s inaction in this regard.
The spokesman also said that Iran will keep on nuclear talks in order to maximize its national interests and Tehran clearly declared its stances to other signatories, adding that the Islamic Republic has recently observed some sort of realistic approach and distancing from the unconstructive and destructive policy on the part of the other side, but this is not enough for Iran, and Tehran is committed to the negotiating table.
Pointing to the fact that Iran is ready for any circumstance and scenario in the future such as the conclusion of negotiations or other scenarios, he added that Iran continues its balanced foreign policy regarding different states regardless of the course and result of the nuclear talks.
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