Baghaei: IAEA Director General Should Have a General Review of How to Cooperate with Iran

During his weekly press conference of Esmail Baghaei, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said, "The US and the Zionist regime attacked Iran and this is a clear issue," and added: Our main demand from international institutions, including the UN Security Council, is to officially endorse this issue and take the necessary measures to hold them accountable for this aggression.

The inappropriate report of the IAEA Director General was one of the excuses for the military aggression of the Zionist regime and the US

Baghaei also said in response to a question regarding the performance of the International Atomic Energy Agency and its Director General in relation to the Iranian nuclear case: What we have always demanded is that the Director General of the IAEA act within the framework of his technical duties and responsibilities and avoid being influenced by some members of the Board of Governors and some members of the Agency.

He continued: The political approach of the US, three European countries and some other countries regarding the Iranian nuclear issue is undeniable and has become completely clear in these two decades.

Baghaei noted: Our expectation has always been for the Agency and the Director General to fulfill his responsibility, away from political atmosphere creation. We regret that our requests were not considered and that the report of the Agency and the Director General was an inappropriate report and one of the excuses for the military aggression of the Zionist regime and the United States.

He noted: This issue and issues related to the Agency's performance and the resolution of the Board of Governors should not distract us from the central issue, which is the illegality of the Zionist regime and the United States' action in attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, and what happened was an act of aggression.

A definite date for the negotiations between Iran, the European Union and the European E3 has not been determined

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question regarding the next round of negotiations between Iran, the European Union and the European E3: We do not yet have a definite date in this regard, and we will inform you about it when a final decision is made.

About 10 correspondences have been made with the UN Secretary-General and its relevant institutions regarding the attacks on Iran

He also stated that "the Zionist regime's attacks on Iran are an example of a war crime because this regime attacked Iran without any reason and caused the martyrdom of Iranian citizens," and said: So far, about 10 correspondences have been made with the UN Secretary-General and its relevant institutions regarding these attacks and the follow-up to these attacks, and three specific meetings have been held by the Security Council in this regard.

The parliamentary law on the suspension of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA is binding on us

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to a question regarding the parliamentary law on the suspension of cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency: As you know, the parliamentary law on the suspension of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA is binding on us, and in fact, this law reflects the concerns of our people regarding the developments of the past 2 weeks and the lack of an appropriate response by the International Atomic Energy Agency and its Director General to the attack by the Zionist regime and the United States on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities and the assassination of our nuclear professors and scientists.

Stating that "the Director General of the Agency insists that cooperation between Iran and the Agency continue as usual," he said: The question he must answer is how, while Iran's nuclear facilities were attacked last Monday, we can provide the safety of inspectors, and on the other hand, we see that a country that is a member of the NPT and has fulfilled its obligations, the Agency and the Director General have remained silent in the face of attacks on its peaceful facilities and have even tried to justify these attacks with some reactions.

He added: The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Director General must have a general review of the way they cooperate with Iran.

Normalizing the crime itself creates the ground for the repetition of the crime and lawbreaking

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said in response to a question regarding the threat made against the Foreign Minister by one of the pages of the Zionist regime on the X social network: The nature of the Zionist regime is clear, it is necessary for the international community to keep in mind that the lawbreaking and gross violation of international laws and international law by the Zionist regime affects all countries, and there is an expectation that all international organizations will react to the crimes that this regime is committing in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.

He emphasized: Normalizing the crime itself creates the ground for the repetition of the crime and lawbreaking.

The recent positions of German officials will create historical and eternal shame for this country

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also responded to a question about the recent positions of French and German officials regarding the US and Israeli aggression against Iran and their support for these aggressions, saying: The position taken by Germany and France regarding the Zionist regime's aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran is definitely unacceptable, especially the positions that have been raised by German officials in this regard in the past few days. I think it will create historical and eternal shame for Germany.

He added: The fact that you call blatant aggression a 'dirty job'; everyone who is familiar with German literature and the actions of Hitler and Nazi Germany knows what this word means. I never imagined that the German Chancellor would use the same language that was used to justify Hitler's racist actions.

The senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran noted: This is something that people with German culture and the world should definitely demand from German officials how they use this language to justify the actions of an aggressive, apartheid and genocidal regime.

He noted: For Iranians, it is a kind of rubbing salt in the wound because it reminds them of another dirty job that Saddam was given the mission to do, which was to use chemical weapons against the people of Iran and Iraq.

Baghaei emphasized: These unacceptable positions indicate that some countries, including Germany, have taken the reputation and status of the European Union hostage and are damaging the position of the European Union in international developments.

Trump's frequent fluctuations and changes in positions are not reliable

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said about Trump's claims regarding Iran sanctions and his contradictory positions in this regard: You have already witnessed similar cases where in the morning a discussion is raised, stating that such and such an action is going to be taken, and in the afternoon a new package of sanctions against Iran is imposed.

He added: These fluctuations and these frequent changes in positions, which we have witnessed in the past three to four months as a constant pattern of American behavior, are not reliable at all."

He emphasized: "We should look at these more in the context of psychological and media games than as a serious statement for dialogue or problem resolution.

This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran noted: Let's not forget that at the height of a diplomatic process and while we were supposed to have the sixth round of negotiations two days later, the Zionist regime carried out its military aggression against Iran with the coordination and cooperation of the United States.

Detaining Iranian nationals in the US because of their nationality is unacceptable

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said about the news published by an American media outlet that more than 100 Iranian nationals have been detained in the US recently: The detention of Iranian nationals in the US because of their nationality is unacceptable. The Iranian Interests Office in Washington is following up on this issue, and we have not yet heard any convincing explanation from the American side regarding the reason for this action.

He added: The action taken is racist and these people were arrested because of their nationality, and as I said, we are following up on this issue through the Iranian Interests Office in Washington and our consular department in the Foreign Ministry.

Many notes or messages between Iran and the US are exchanged through Switzerland

In response to a question about the bilateral relations between Iran and Switzerland and the type of activism of this country in recent developments in the region, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: We have a good bilateral relationship with Switzerland. Switzerland is simultaneously the protector of American interests in Tehran and a communication channel between Iran and the United States. Many of the notes or messages that are to be exchanged between Iran and the United States are done through this channel, and this is not a new issue.

He added: Switzerland is simultaneously the custodian and trustee of humanitarian law conventions. This country hosts a series of international organizations and human rights meetings, and the natural expectation of the international community is that Switzerland will take a serious and clear role in relation to the gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law in our region.

Switzerland has not been very active in the context of the crimes in Gaza

This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran noted: In the past 2 years, we have witnessed genocide in Gaza, and in the past 24 hours, nearly 90 innocent people were martyred in Gaza. The investigations we conducted show that Switzerland has not been very active in the context of the crimes in Gaza, and the positions it has taken, especially in relation to following up on cases of humanitarian rights violations, have not been successful, and even the resolution that was supposed to be passed in Geneva within the framework of following up on cases or implementing humanitarian rights did not come to fruition.

America's betrayal of diplomacy and a diplomatic process is completely obvious

In response to a question about the impact of the attacks by the Zionist regime and the United States on Iran on diplomatic processes, including negotiations between Iran and Europe, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a press conference: Can we expect anything else? An important event has occurred. In the midst of a diplomatic process, the Zionist regime and the United States attacked Iran. America's betrayal of diplomacy and a diplomatic process is completely obvious, and we really cannot expect that these events will not have an effect on the continuation of diplomatic processes.

He continued: As I said before, we have diplomatic relations and dialogue with the European parties, but as to when and in what form the negotiations in their specific meaning will continue, this is an issue that is being examined and we have not yet reached a final conclusion.

The Agency Must Be Accountable for Its Report on Iran

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson also responded to a reporter’s question about the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s claim that it is not true that the Agency’s report paved the way for the Zionist regime’s attack on Iran, saying: Put the timing of the events together, you can calculate in hours how many hours after the Board of Governors issued the resolution, the resolution on which the Director General’s report was based, took action against Iran.

He emphasized: This issue should not be considered as an exoneration of the Zionist regime and the United States from their aggressive action.

The senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran noted: In no way does the Agency’s report or the resolution justify any legal or legal basis for the actions of the United States and the Zionist regime, but it was one of the excuses that created the conditions for committing this crime. This is an issue for which the Agency should really be held accountable.

The Zionist regime's attack on Evin prison was a brutal crime

The Foreign Ministry spokesman continued his conversation with reporters, emphasizing that the Zionist regime's attack on Evin prison was a brutal crime, and noted: A large number of Iranian citizens were martyred in this crime, including a good woman who was helping to free prisoners, a mother with her 5-year-old child, and a number of conscripts.

He emphasized: Explaining and documenting this crime is on our agenda.

Baghaei said: So far, a number of diplomats and journalists have visited the sites of the Zionist regime's crimes in the attack on Iran, and these visits will continue.

The French government must be held accountable for its participation in the aggression against Iran

In response to ISNA’s question regarding France’s participation in intercepting Iranian drones, given the country’s Defense Minister’s admission that it helped the Zionist regime intercept Iranian drones, and how these actions are assessed within the framework of international law and Iran’s national sovereignty, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: France’s admission that it participated in the Zionist regime’s aggression by preventing Iran from exercising its legitimate right to defend itself is in fact an acceptance of the responsibility of the French government as one of the parties that played a role in this aggression and imposed war. The French government must be held accountable for this issue, while they had repeatedly said that they had no role in these attacks.

He said: On the other hand, this issue demonstrates the greatness of the Iranian armed forces, which have stood up to an aggressor supported by several other countries.

We will not give in to the other parties’ excessive demands

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to another question from ISNA regarding the French officials’ statements that if Iran does not return to the negotiating table, Europe will reimpose sanctions: Their threat to abuse the tool contained in Security Council Resolution 2231 is nothing new. We will not give in to the other parties’ excessive demands in any way, and negotiations and dialogue with such an approach do not make sense, and European countries should reconsider their view on this issue.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said in response to the question that the American parties claim that Iran was not serious in the negotiations: Was Iran not serious in the negotiations, or was it the party that encouraged the Zionist regime to attack Iran two days before the sixth round of negotiations that they themselves had proposed and scheduled?

The claim that Iran is not serious in the negotiations is completely baseless and unfounded

He continued: The negotiations were held based on the agreement of both sides and the participation of the Omani side as a mediator. We announced from the very beginning that if the other side is serious, the negotiations can continue throughout the week; that the other side is present in a negotiation process once a week for two-three hours and then claims that Iran is not serious in the negotiations is completely baseless and unfounded and is in a way trying to justify the crimes that have occurred in the last two weeks.

He also said: The international community sees that the United States is constantly changing its positions.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also referred to Iran's membership in the Non-Proliferation Treaty and said: Iran's rights under this treaty are completely clear and we have the right to use peaceful nuclear energy.

The Ministry of Science has documented the cases of aggression by the Zionist regime against scientists and university professors and forwarded them to UNESCO

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said in response to a question regarding the follow-up of the assassination of Iranian professors and scientists by the Zionist regime and the regime's aggression against some scientific sites in Iran and the follow-up of this issue through UNESCO: The Ministry of Science, as the custodian of academic issues, has documented the cases of aggression by the Zionist regime against scientists and university professors and forwarded them to UNESCO.

He added: We are following up on this issue through the Ministry of Science and also our representative at UNESCO, and based on the responsibilities that this international organization has, we demand that UNESCO take the necessary measures in this regard.

Grossi's insistence on traveling to Iran at this time is incomprehensible to us

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said in response to another question regarding the insistence of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect Iran's nuclear facilities and travel to Tehran: The Director General's insistence at this time is incomprehensible to us; Because it has not yet been a few days since the act of aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities. In these circumstances, it is unreasonable to expect that cooperation between Iran and the Agency will continue as normal.

Baghaei noted: As I mentioned before, one of the important aspects of this issue is how to ensure the security and safety of the Agency's inspectors; because we still do not have an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the severity of the damage and injuries. Currently, the country's Atomic Energy Organization is investigating.

All neighboring countries have assured that they will not allow the Zionist regime to abuse their airspace or territory against Iran

This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran also said in relation to some of the news published that the Zionist regime used the skies of some neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, to attack Iran: There has been a lot of news published regarding the Zionist regime's abuse of the territory of other countries to commit its act of aggression against our country.

He continued: We have shared this information and sometimes speculations with the relevant countries. Neighboring countries are certainly aware of their duties and obligations, both within the framework of good neighborliness policy and under international law, and according to international law, no country is allowed, and indeed prohibited, from making its territory available to other countries for harassing actions against another country.

This senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic of Iran said: "Without exception, all neighboring countries have assured us that they will not allow the Zionist regime to misuse their space or territory for aggressive actions against Iran. We have also shared the issues raised in the reports with these countries and heard their explanations."

He clarified: The issues we have raised have been explicitly and firmly rejected by the relevant countries, and they have assured us that not only has such permission not been given, but it will not be given in the future either.

Baghaei emphasized: This issue is still being followed up, and cases like this are being carefully monitored, reported, and documented by our armed forces, security, and military authorities, and we at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also seriously following them up.

Trump's ridiculous statements about the Leader of the Revolution are rejected and condemned

In response to a question about the statements and insults of US President Donald Trump about the Leader of the Revolution and his threats, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: Yesterday, we made an official position in this regard in a statement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Foreign Minister also clearly stated his point of view.

He emphasized: It is quite clear that such ridiculous, insulting and provocative statements are 100% rejected and condemned. These statements have hurt the feelings of millions of Iranians and Muslims inside and outside Iran and will only result in increasing hatred and disgust towards the policies of the United States of America towards the region and Muslims.

Our Armed Forces Are Ready to Defend Iran with All Their Power

In response to the question of how, in his opinion, the ceasefire that has occurred can be turned into something more solid so that we no longer witness the Zionist regime’s adventurism against Iran, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said: On the morning of June 13, the Zionist regime launched a military aggression against Iran without any excuse or reason. The Iranians, with all their might and our powerful armed forces, came to the field with all their might and defended Iran, and ultimately led the enemy to the conclusion that the continuation of this aggression and crime would not serve their interests and goals.

Noting that “in the continuation of this process, what guarantees the non-repetition of a new adventurism by the Zionist regime is, first of all, the readiness of our country’s powerful armed forces,” Baghaei noted: “As they have shown in the past two weeks, our armed forces are ready to defend Iran’s Kian with all their might, and this is the most important tool and deterrent to prevent the recurrence of the adventurism of the Zionist regime and others.”

The senior diplomat of the Islamic Republic continued: In addition to this defense readiness, the diplomatic apparatus is also fulfilling its duties, and we are pursuing our duties in this regard with seriousness, and all our efforts are to make the international community aware of the dangerous dimensions of this adventure.

Some foreign missions have reduced or temporarily closed the activities of their embassies at their own discretion

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said about the presence and activities of embassies of other countries in Iran in light of the 12-day war imposed by the Zionist regime on our country: In these days, given the events that have occurred, some foreign missions have decided to reduce or temporarily close the activities of their embassies at their own discretion. Some of them went to neighboring countries, and some others have returned in the last two or three days. Others have also announced that they plan to resume their activities normally within the next two or three days. This is being done in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He emphasized: We will also do whatever we can to ensure the security of foreign missions and embassies in our country.

Unfortunately, the international community has failed to fulfill its duties towards the Palestinian people

In response to another question about the continuing crimes of the Zionist regime against the people of Gaza during the 12 days since it attacked Iran, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: The fact is that these crimes continue and the only word that can be used in this case is "shame". Unfortunately, the international community has failed to fulfill its duties towards the Palestinian people. We are now faced with numbers and figures, but we do not understand that each of these numbers represents a human being, a life story and an innocent person who cruelly loses his life in Gaza and the West Bank. These statistics are truly shocking. It is very regrettable that nearly 900 innocent people have been martyred in Gaza in the last 12 days, while they are struggling with hunger, thirst, and a lack of medicine. During these 12 days, the international community focused more on the events in the Persian Gulf region and the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran.

Baghaei continued: In these cases, the burden of responsibility of the countries supporting the Zionist regime and those justifying this regime becomes heavier, because there is no doubt that if it were not for the support of the United States and European countries for this regime, the Zionist regime could not continue its crimes with the certainty of immunity from any international condemnation and accountability. A clear example of this issue was the presence of a German minister in the occupied territories and his explicit support for the Zionist regime. Instead of condemning the Zionist regime for its crimes in Gaza and the region, this official somehow justified this regime’s aggression against Iran. Each of these behaviors and statements is a sign of these countries' complicity with the Zionist regime in committing these crimes.

Iran-Egypt relations are growing

In response to a question about the renaming of Khaled Islambouli Street and the future of Iran-Egypt relations following this issue, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: Renaming Khaled Islambouli Street to Martyr Nasrallah was approved by the Tehran City Council and the decision was announced three or four weeks ago. The original issue of renaming the street dates back two decades and this issue has been on the agenda of the Tehran City Council at different times.

He emphasized: Iran-Egypt relations, despite the fact that diplomatic relations are not in that form, are a growing relationship, and we have had continuous contacts with Egypt in the past two years and we have witnessed its results in the last two or three weeks.

Baghaei continued: We hope that the process that began over the past two years within the framework of Iran's policy of promoting relations with its neighbors and regional countries and has continued continuously, will lead to the restoration and full establishment of diplomatic relations with Egypt.

We welcome peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also asked a question at the press conference that the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in their recent meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, approved clauses that include requests from Armenia, and some believe that these clauses were included in the document at the suggestion of the Republic of Azerbaijan. What is Iran's opinion as one of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in this regard? He said: In response to this question, I must make two points: First, the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation may raise issues in collective documents that do not necessarily reflect the position of each member state. We have always emphasized on the issue of Armenia and Azerbaijan that we welcome peace talks between these two countries and have encouraged both sides to sign the peace agreement as soon as possible.

He added: For us, peace and security in the South Caucasus region is of fundamental importance and priority. We have good relations with both countries, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and we are committed to continuing the policy of good neighborliness.

Baghaei explained: We do not approve of the use of certain concepts, words and phrases in that paragraph approved by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. We believe that the use of such words and phrases, which can induce a desire for geopolitical changes, is in no way constructive and should not be the basis for the practical policies of the countries of the region./isna