“Support for the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is a principle. The patterns of our response to the Zionist regime’s acts of aggression are also clear, and it is natural that we use all material and spiritual resources to respond to the Zionist regime’s aggression”, the spokesman said on Monday at his weekly press briefing in Tehran.
He also said that Sunday (Nov. 3) was National Student Day and National Day of Fighting Global Arrogance in Iran. The occasion symbolizes freedom-seeking for the Iranian people who have proved that they will defend their country’s dignity and national sovereignty in the face of external threats, he added.
November 2 also marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Baghaei said, noting that journalists have been subjected to severe crimes by the Israeli regime over the past year.
He commemorated the journalists who lost their lives to raise global awareness on crimes being committed in Gaza and Lebanon.
Germany closure of Iranian consulates
Baghaei described as unjustifiable Berlin’s decision to close Iranian consulates in three German cities.
He also said that Berlin’s reaction to the execution of an Iranian national who had committed multiple terrorist crimes across Iran is unacceptable, adding that this is an issue on which the Islamic Republic is legally eligible to decide.
Baghaei noted that none of Iranian staffers at the consulates have been expelled, adding that contacts have been ongoing between Tehran and Berlin over the past few days, and talks have been held in the two capitals.
He further said that the trial process was transparent and fair, and the committed crime was in the category of serious crimes. “According to our laws, its punishment is clear,” he stated.
“With regard to supporting Iranians living in Germany, meetings were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other related institutions to ensure consular services for them, and we are following up on this matter,” he added.
Iran FM's visit to Pakistan
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to visit the neighboring country Pakistan for talks on regional developments and bilateral ties, Baghaei said.
During the past week, Araghchi also held telephone conversations with his counterparts in regional countries, he added.
‘No reason for triggering snapback mechanism’
On the possibility of triggering the snapback mechanism, Baghaei made it clear that there is not any reason for resorting to Resolution 2231 mechanisms, because Iran still adheres to its commitments under the nuclear agreement, officially called the JCPOA.
He said Iran started to cross certain limitations on its nuclear program only a year after the US withdrew from the JCPOA and the European signatories to the agreement failed to compensate for Washington’s pullout.
“Our official position is clear in rejecting weapons of mass destruction and regarding the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. At the same time, as the Supreme Leader has said, we will be equipped with whatever is necessary to defend Iran,” he added.
Regional security
The spokesman also said Iran believes that the presence of extra-regional forces, especially US forces, in the region causes instability.
“This does not affect our determination to defend ourselves, but it is necessary for regional countries to work together to ensure the security of the region,” he said.
Baqaei vowed that Iran will respond to any violation of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the strongest form.
Legal action against Zionist leaders
The spokesman said that the Zionist regime seeks to exert pressure and use its influence over a legal process against the regime’s leaders.
Responding to a question from IRNA’s reporter on changes in The Hague's judicial panel and the pursuit of legal action against Zionist regime officials, Baghaei said that the Islamic Republic has supported all measures aimed at confronting the Zionist regime’s impunity and holding its officials accountable for crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.
He added that since the beginning of the legal process, Iran has made contacts with the International Criminal Court (ICC), and has voiced support for the process, despite the fact that the Islamic Republic is not an ICC member.
Baghaei also raised concerns about potential influence of the Zionist regime on criminal proceedings against it, stating that the issue is beyond speculation and it stems from a long history of actions by the Zionist regime and its allies to avoid criminal prosecution of the regime’s leaders.
The spokesman further pointed out to the swift backlash from US officials at both congressional and presidential levels following the ICC prosecutor’s request to pursue legal action against Zionist leaders, expressing hope that this does not further disrupt the process.
Iraq’s protest note to UNSC
Further in his remarks, he mentioned that Iraq has recently lodged a protest note with the UN Security Council, formally objecting to the misuse of its airspace against Iran.
Baseless accusations against Iran
Recently, sanctions have been imposed on Iran’s airline industry following “baseless” accusations made by American and Western officials alleging that the Islamic Republic has dispatched weapons to Russia, the spokesman said, stressing that the sanctions have been imposed only to hurt the Iranian people.
No Iran visit by Oman FM
The spokesman rejected reports that the Omani foreign minister plans to visit the Islamic Republic.
Germany, 2nd largest arms supplier to Israel
The Iranian diplomat underlined that Germany is the second biggest supplier of arms to the Zionist regime which has been committing crimes in the region, in Gaza and Lebanon in particular.
Israel’s abduction of UNIFIL member
Baghaei said he is informed of the news that the Zionist regime has kidnapped a member of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL).
It is not surprising on part of the Zionist regime, as abduction, assassination and insecurity are among the constant measures taken by the regime.
Upcoming Riyadh meeting
The spokesman expressed hope that the upcoming meeting of Islamic countries’ heads of states, set to be held on November 11 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, would focus on regional developments, and those countries take collective and meaningful action to stop the Zionist regime’s crimes.
Israel’s UNRWA closure
Regarding the closure of UNRWA in Palestine, Baghaei said the issue alerted the whole world and even some supporters of Israel warned the occupying regime against the measure.
Anti-narcotics fight
He also pointed out that Iran has offered the largest number of martyrs in the fight against narcotics in the last few decades.
“We are facing a serious and all-round confrontation against it, and it is necessary to increase our cooperation with other countries. Türkiye is no exception to this issue,” he noted.
Iran-Iraq security pact
On the implementation of the Iran-Iraq security agreement, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran appreciates the commitment of Iraqi authorities to maintaining the security of joint borders.
He added, “It is natural that in the implementation phase, we should identify the flaws of any agreement and try to prevent its incomplete implementation. This is an issue that is ongoing in the dialogues between the two sides at the political and security level, and we are in constant communication.”
‘No difference between US presidents regarding Iran’
Asked about the US presidential election slated for November 5, Baghaei said the history of the US approach toward Iran shows that there is not much difference between the two main American parties.
Regarding the cancellation of visas at the recent BRICS summit, he said the issue is being investigated at the BRICS level.
“This coalition (BRICS) has a lot of potential and we are identifying these capacities at different levels to use in promoting regional peace and security and economic development of the country,” he said.
Iran-Russia strategic agreement
Baghaei also said that the 20-year strategic partnership agreement between Iran and Russia is being reviewed by both sides, with negotiations underway to fix the timing of the signing ceremony by the high-ranking officials of both countries.
Arms embargo on Israel
He pointed to a Turkish initiative to halt Israeli crimes and put an arms embargo on the regime, saying that Iran is among the signatories of the initiative as it has legal and humanitarian grounds. The spokesman added that Iran always welcomes and supports any initiative aimed at halting the crimes of the Tel Aviv regime.
The diplomat said that Iran appreciates the efforts of all regional and friendly countries to prevent tension, war, and insecurity in Gaza and Lebanon, and that there are specific channels for the exchange of messages between Iran and the United States.
Grossi's visit to Iran
Regarding a visit to Iran by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, Baghaei said that the visit is on agenda and Iran will announce it as soon as the date is confirmed.
The Iranian official also said that the topics of discussions are clear, adding that there are issues raised by the IAEA, which Iran is working to clarify through dialogue.
Killing of Afghans 'a rumor'
Baghaei also elaborated on rumors about the killing of some Afghan nationals at the Iran border.
He stated that Afghan officials issued a statement on this matter, and that the Iranian authorities were surprised and displeased that such news stories were reported about a fake event, and some Afghan officials took these baseless reports seriously.
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