Defense Capabilities Are Non-Negotiable

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "If the trigger mechanism is abused, our response will be proportionate and leaves no justification for remaining in certain treaties."

News ID: 85622

Date: 20 January 2025 - 14:36

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a press conference: "In the past week, we have had important developments in the field of bilateral diplomacy and at the regional level. We witnessed the president's visit to Russia and Tajikistan, during which we signed a cooperation treaty between Tehran and Moscow."

Referring to the ceasefire in Gaza, Baghaei added: "The ceasefire was a very important development in the region, which we expressed our positions in a statement. This was a victory and an example of will, faith, and resilience in Gaza."

Referring to the duality of compromise and resistance, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry continued: "The countries of the region and the people of the region and beyond at the international level have learned clear lessons from this development. If we consider the victory based on the number of martyrs and the volume of crimes, it is the Israeli regime's victory, which violates all international rules and lawlessness at the highest level is the achievement of the Zionist regime. Of course, these crimes would not have been possible without the full support and backing of the United States and several Western countries."

The Foreign Ministry spokesman noted: What ultimately resulted is a complete defeat and disgrace for the occupying regime. They do not believe in the concepts of human rights. What is decisive is the resistance of the Palestinian people, a resistance that emanates from within and certainly promises future victories for the region.

Regarding the negotiations between Iran and European countries and the claims made regarding Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT, he added: “It is not unnatural for the opposing parties to raise their arguments during the negotiations. What should always be kept in mind is that Iran has never negotiated with any party about its defense capabilities and will not do so, and the Iranian nation will not allow such a thing to happen under any circumstances. If it is raised, our response is clear. The use of the trigger mechanism has been made clear since the time it was raised in the 12th government of Iran that if this lever is abused to pressure Iran, our response will be proportionate. Abuse of this mechanism leaves no justification for remaining in some treaties.”

Regarding comments on direct negotiations with the United States, Baghaei stated: The position of Iran and the government on foreign policy is expressed by official spokesmen. The points raised have no relation to our official position. Foreign policy is a specialized discussion.

About banning the entry of Iranian nationals into Syria, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified: I doubt that the original news is true. We do not recommend that nationals travel to Syria either.

Regarding the inauguration of the new US administration and the assessment of the performance of the Biden administration, he said: “On a regional level, the Biden administration has had one of the worst performances in the past 60 years, because the last 16 months of this administration were spent advocating for an open genocide in the region. Incidentally, the ceasefire agreement was reached in the last days of this administration, which is significant. Therefore, this dark spot will remain in the minds of the people of the region, especially those who were harmed by the regime’s aggressions.”

Baghaei continued: “On a bilateral level, the US’s harassing actions continued, and no seriousness was shown in the negotiations to revive the nuclear agreement, and at the same time, the oppressive sanctions against Iran continued. On both sides, the US administration left a bad record of both destabilizing policies and the policy of pressure against Iran. But what is worse is that the current officials are trying to instill their broken policy in others, which shows the intentions of the US government in these 4 years were devilish.

According to Iran’s positions on the Gaza ceasefire, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “We have expressed our positions regarding stopping the genocide. The ceasefire means that there has been a pause in the plan to annihilate Palestine. We have made great efforts in these 16 months to stop the genocide. Both OIC summits were held at Iran’s suggestion. We have spared no effort. Iran, believing that the way to save the Palestinian people and realize their right to self-determination is through resistance and utilizing all of its inherent capabilities has continued to support Palestine during these 16 months. Maintaining the spirit and morale of resistance forced the regime to ultimately agree to a ceasefire.”

In response to a question about the latest status of the case of the murder of two Iranian citizens in France, he said: "Following the rights of Iranian nationals is one of the duties and fixed agendas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Consular Office and the Embassy in Paris were following up on the issue, and it is a serious demand from us. We have not yet received sufficient and convincing information about the nature of the murder that took place in France and in which two Iranian citizens lost their lives. We expect the demand for criminal prosecution and the issuance of a sentence for the attackers, and we expect the relevant French authorities to respond.

In response to another question regarding the diplomatic apparatus' response to the accusations of Swedish authorities against Iran that it uses organized criminal groups in the country, Baghaei said: "These statements are surprising and unacceptable. These statements were exaggerated and unjustified. Without documents, they are not acceptable in any way in diplomatic practice, and we have announced our objections."

Regarding the text of the Iran-Russia agreement, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: The text of the Iran-Russia Strategic Partnership Treaty is available to the media. Regarding the reference to the 1940 agreement, this agreement is part of the history of Iran-Russia relations and is valid. These two agreements were mentioned in the 1990 agreement, which was the basis of mutual relations.

Regarding Iran's expectations from the Trump administration, Baghaei said: "We hope that in 4 years, the judgment that we should have from the administration now will not exist regarding the next 4 years of Trump. Their policies will be based on international law and the interests of the entire region and Iran's demands."

Regarding the issue of Iran's water rights from Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: This issue and the water rights that exist from other rivers flowing to Iran have always been pursued and are a fixed agenda for any dialogue. Cooperation on water can be one of the strengths of cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan. The policy of good neighborliness and historical relations requires both sides to reach an agreement. This year too, with appropriate rainfall, God willing, the issue of water will be one of the strengths in Iran-Afghanistan relations.

Based on the obstacles in the way of the FATF and the Foreign Ministry's efforts to resolve them, he said: "The decision on this issue should be made by the relevant agencies. It is logical to allow these discussions to be discussed in their specialized channels. The diplomatic service will definitely express its views based on the issues examined."

Regarding the reason for Zarif's presence at the Davos summit, the Foreign Ministry spokesman added: "Different officials from us participated in different years. Zarif's position in the government structure is clear. Araqchi was supposed to attend the UN Security Council meeting."