Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Reaction to Iraqi Prime Minister's Statement

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Islamic Republic of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered reporters' questions at a weekly press conference with media members.

Esmail Baghaei, at the beginning of his press conference today (Monday), stated that "we are on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Martyr Lieutenant General Soleimani," said: "Today, a program was held on this occasion at the Center for Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the presence of the Foreign Minister."

In response to a question regarding the recent action of the Zionist regime in recognizing Somaliland as an independent country from the African country of Somalia, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stated: "This recognition is completely meaningless and no country has confirmed this issue."

He stated that “a regime that is itself an illegitimate regime and its existence is in question has taken this action,” and continued: “This action is solely aimed at dividing Islamic countries, dividing the region, and rendering the countries of the region defenseless against the Zionist regime’s ambitions.”

Baghaei continued: “The countries of the region have unanimously opposed this issue, and we have witnessed statements from Islamic and African countries opposing this issue.”

The Somali people have also protested this decision. These actions show that the nature of the Zionist regime is anti-peace and its goal is to create tension, division, and conflict in the region and between countries.

In response to a question regarding the Iraqi Prime Minister’s recent statements that we are seeking to hold a meeting between Tehran and Washington in Baghdad to establish dialogue, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “It is commendable that our friends in Iraq are concerned about issues related to peace and stability in the region and that they are concerned about the situation in the region, just as we are also concerned about security and peace in the region.”

He continued: “We welcome the excellent efforts of the countries of the region to reduce tensions in the region, and certainly, the Iraqi friends and other countries of the region, considering the experience of the last 5 to 6 months, know very well that starting a negotiation process requires the parties to adhere to the etiquette of negotiations, and until this is available, talking about a negotiation process cannot be realistic.”

Baghaei continued: "Iran has always been committed to diplomacy. Diplomacy is a tool for securing the country's national interests, and whenever we recognize that this is an effective tool for realizing the country's national interests, we will not hesitate to use it."