President and Foreign Minister travel to Egypt to attend D8 summit

TEHRAN (Defapress) -  Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry stated in a press conference with reporters and media members: "This week, we are witnessing a very important meeting of the 8 member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (D-8 Summit) in Egypt, which the President and Foreign Minister will participate in."

Baghaei added: "The D8 summit will be held with the participation of President Masoud Pezeshkian, and we will also have discussions about the bilateral relations of the member states." 

The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued: "Regarding the reopening of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, I must also point out that the reopening of the embassy requires preparations, including ensuring the security of the embassy and its staff, and that the necessary conditions must be provided for ensuring security. Of course, we will be following up on this work."

We will use every opportunity to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime

Baghaei noted: Regarding the attacks and aggressions of "Israel" against Syria, I must also say that this is not a new issue and these attacks have increased in the last 14 months. However, as a responsible country in West Asia and an Islamic country, we will use every opportunity for regional and global mobilization to stop the crimes of this regime and its aggressions against Syria and Yemen.

Baghaei added: All governments have a duty to use international law to stop crimes and aggression in order to protect the norms and principles of international law. We will raise this issue at the regional level, at the level of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations, and the upcoming meeting to be held in Cairo, and this is a collective and international duty to work towards stopping aggression.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "Regarding Turkey's narrative about developments in Syria, I must also mention that it is not unnatural for countries to have their narratives about developments and events. But what is clear is that at the Astana meeting and the 8-nation meeting, what was intended and agreed upon was a statement issued, and the need to stop the fighting and hold talks between the opposition and the Syrian government to prevent the spread of terrorism, and preserving Syria's territorial integrity was a major concern that was shared by all participating countries."

Syria's territorial integrity has been violated by the Zionist regime

Baghaei noted: As we see, in the past few days, Syria's territorial integrity has been severely violated by the Zionist regime. For the first time in 50 years, another part of Syria's territory has been occupied and Security Council Resolution 350 has been unilaterally violated by the Zionist regime, and this reflects the concern that we, as the Islamic Republic of Iran and other countries, have for the security, stability, and territorial integrity of Syria.

Explaining that Iran's presence in Syria was fundamental and principled, and our withdrawal was also responsible, Baqaei added: "We were not seeking to conquer Syria, seek domination, or revive past empires. But what was important in Syria was helping to ensure the security of the Syrian people in the face of violent extremism."

Iran's presence in Syria was advisory

The Foreign Ministry spokesman continued: "We arrived with this goal and at the invitation of the established and legitimate Syrian government, and our presence in this country was advisory and we were never there to defend a specific group or person in Syria. Rather, what was important to us was to help maintain Syria's territorial integrity and stability. Because stability in Syria guarantees stability in the West Asian region."

He noted: "Regarding the Iran-China relationship, it should also be said that this is a continuous and growing relationship. We and China have commonalities in all economic, commercial, and cultural areas, and the 25-year agreement creates an important basis, and it is natural that there will be exchanges in this regard."

The statements of the 3 European countries have no legal basis

Referring to the letter of the three European countries to the Security Council, Baghaei noted: We sent our response to the Security Council and also announced our positions in the statement that was published. We do not accept incitement on the issue that was discussed. Therefore, this correspondence neither has an impact on Iran's approach to continuing its peaceful nuclear program nor does it prove anything beyond what these countries had stated. These statements also have no legal basis.

Regarding the report published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on human rights and action in international forums, Baghaei said: The report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was published based on a legal regulation. This report is both in line with our help in promoting human rights and promoting human rights concepts at the international level and also shows that some countries consider themselves free from any anti-human rights issues in the field of human rights. These are matters that need to be documented.

No interim government has been formed in Syria yet

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added regarding the relationship with the interim government in Syria: No interim government has been formed in Syria yet. Syria is in a transitional phase. We are waiting for this transitional phase to pass. We will decide at the appointed time.

Regarding Syria’s communication channel with Iran and Iran’s role in these developments, he noted that Iran’s position on Syria was clearly stated both in the form of an official statement by the Foreign Ministry and in the Foreign Minister’s interviews. Our presence in Syria had a clear and principled goal, which was to confront ISIS extremism and support the Syrian people. Let us remember the involvement of Iraq and Syria in ISIS and the risk of its spread in the region. Over the past 14 years, various mechanisms have been implemented to help Syria, of which the Astana process was one. We made it clear that as a country that had a long-standing relationship with Syria and had always been benevolent towards the Syrian people.

Regarding Resolution 2254, Baghaei said: Over the years, it was one of the important bases for reducing tension and advancing the political process in Syria. The Astana process has supported this resolution.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized the statements of the EU foreign policy chief regarding the lack of a place for Iran and Russia in the future of Syria: "This is an interesting irony. He was reading history books for a while when he made this statement. The time for a foreign power to decide the fate of the region is over."

Europe must reconsider its behavior

Baghaei stated that Europe must reconsider its behavior and added that a large number of terrorists had flowed from Western countries to Syria and were a threat to security and stability in Syria. They should reconsider their actions instead of determining the fate of others.

Regarding the provision of weapons to the Zionist regime by the United States and Germany, he said: I do not remember that in the history of the United Nations, there has ever been such an international consensus on the existence of a common threat against the norms of international law. What is clear is that the Zionist regime's impunity has been a key factor in perpetuating this regime and continuing violations of human rights laws.

99% of Israel's weapons are supplied by the US and Germany

The Foreign Ministry spokesman continued: 99% of Israel's weapons are supplied by the US and Germany, and according to international law, countries that help commit crimes are considered accomplices. The fastest way to stop the genocide is to stop sending weapons, and the countries in the region expect this to be done.

He clarified: Specific cases have also been filed in international courts, which is unprecedented. A genocide case has also been opened in the International Court of Justice. The Court has issued 6 specific orders regarding the genocide in Gaza, none of which have been implemented.

We are facing genocide in Palestine

Baghaei said: The Palestinian human rights rapporteur has repeatedly stated in reports that we are facing genocide. The recent statements of the UN rapporteur on combating terrorism are very telling. He has stated frankly what is obvious.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said regarding Syria's debt to Iran: The figures presented are very exaggerated, the memorandum of understanding is signed between the two countries, not between two governments and groups in a temporary sense. These duties and rights exist between the two countries and will not disappear. These rights and duties are also transferred.

Regarding Trump's proposal to reach an agreement with Iran in all areas, he noted: We have not heard anything from the future US administration. We prefer not to react to speculation.

Syrian diplomatic staff and ambassador are still in Tehran

Regarding the status of the Syrian embassy in Tehran, Baghaei noted that the diplomatic staff and ambassador of Syria are still in Tehran. We will make a decision on the status of the embassy based on the decision taken by the new Syrian ruling body.

Regarding Iran's participation in the issuance of an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: We have presented our positions in a written form. Among the matters that are worth mentioning is related to a concept called shared responsibility, which must be fair. There must be a proportion between developing and developed countries.