Media Concerns of Esmail Baghaei in Hybrid Warfare

TEHRAN (Defapress) - In an interview with the Defapress correspondent, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei paid tribute to Journalists' Day and the anniversary of the martyrdom of Fereshteh Bagheri, a reporter at the news agency, while outlining the latest foreign policy developments and the international dimensions of national defense. Highlighting Defapress's prominent record in narrative coverage during the Imposed Wars of June 2025 and March 2026, he emphasized that during wartime, the responsibilities of public diplomacy and media in safeguarding national honor and interests multiply.

Baghaei framed recent statements by the U.S. President regarding attacks on Iran under the pretext of nuclear deterrence as an explicit confession to military aggression and a blatant violation of international law. He underscored the imperative of documenting war crimes, including strikes on residential areas and civilians in Minab, Lamerd, and Qeshm, for prosecution in international tribunals.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman noted an unprecedented wave of solidarity between Iranians at home and abroad during recent events, viewing this surge of patriotism as proof of the Iranian nation's civilizational identity when faced with threats to territorial integrity. 

Emphasizing that self-reliance and the invaluable experience of the Sacred Defense remain Iran's foundational principles in overcoming challenges, he highlighted diplomatic consultations with regional powers, including China and Russia, which prevented the passage of unilateral resolutions at the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. He added that the shared stance of these nations and the Non-Aligned Movement reflects global opposition to U.S. unilateralism and militarism.

Addressing the June 18 understanding, Baghaei pointed to Washington's history of breach of faith, noting that the U.S. side violated the ceasefire and resumed attacks and naval blockades under fabricated pretexts just 23 days after signing the document. 

He attributed the current insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf directly to aggressive U.S. and Zionist actions, revealing that Iran and Oman, as littoral states, have held intensive, constructive talks resulting in an agreed navigation route map. However, he stressed that a complete restoration of security in the waterway remains contingent upon an end to U.S. interventions and naval sanctions. 
Concluding his remarks, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson urged domestic media to exercise vigilance in the face of hybrid warfare, refrain from uncritically translating foreign reports, speed up official data delivery, and shift from raw news reporting to reality-based narrative building to secure the 'first narrative.'