Speaking at his weekly press conference on Sunday, Baqaei outlined the latest positions, decisions and measures of Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
Iran Had One of Its Most Successful International Appearances
At the outset of the press conference, Baqaei congratulated Iranian athletes, particularly women and girls, on their performances at the Asian Games, saying their achievements represented not only sporting success but also a manifestation of women’s growing confidence and advancement in various fields.
He then referred to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly as the most significant international event of the previous week, noting that Iran had participated with a delegation headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Despite its relatively small size, he described the delegation as highly productive, saying Iran had sought to use the opportunity to convey its message, positions and views to the international community.
“We believe we experienced one of Iran’s most successful appearances in international forums last week,” Baqaei said.
He added that meetings held by the foreign minister and president with their counterparts, think tanks and media representatives had been particularly useful in explaining Iran’s positions and its rationale regarding issues affecting the region and the wider world.
Iran Urges Neighbors to Respect Principles of Good Neighborliness
Addressing a question about the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United Arab Emirates and Iran’s warnings regarding Israel’s destabilizing approach in the region, Baqaei urged neighboring countries to uphold the principles of good neighborliness.
He said Iran adheres to the principle of good-neighborly relations and expects its neighbors to do the same, particularly by preventing their territory and facilities from being exploited by parties that, he said, had demonstrated little regard for the security and welfare of regional countries.
Baqaei said Iran had promptly and clearly conveyed its concerns to regional states, particularly countries that had made their territory and facilities available during the U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran.
He added that Iranian officials had held talks with almost all of the countries on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Baqaei also referred to the recent release of a number of Iranian nationals from detention in the UAE, thanking Emirati authorities for their cooperation and expressing hope that the remaining detained Iranians would also be released as soon as possible.
He stressed that regional countries should pay particular attention to Israel’s use of regional facilities to undermine security and carry out military action against Iran.
U.S. Turned to Media Claims After Failing to Prevent Iranian Delegation’s Participation
Responding to a question about a U.S. media report claiming that two members of the Iranian delegation to the UN General Assembly had been “expelled” from the United States on Saturday, Baqaei dismissed the report as completely false.
“I believe they are trying to manufacture an achievement through lies, and what they have claimed is completely false,” he said.
Baqaei said the Iranian delegation’s entry into and departure from the United States had been announced and determined in advance, including the date on which the foreign minister’s delegation would leave New York.
Regarding the two individuals mentioned in the report, he said one Iranian diplomat had initially been scheduled to remain in New York for several more days to carry out his duties.
“Because of the pressure that was exerted, yes, that diplomat left New York. In all other cases, however, we left New York according to the arrangements made in advance,” he said.
Baqaei said the episode itself amounted to an acknowledgment by the United States that it had failed to fulfill its obligations as the host country of the United Nations.
He argued that Washington’s actions demonstrated that it was not a suitable host for the UN and suggested that, after failing to prevent Iran’s participation in the General Assembly and failing to advance a plan to portray Iran as isolated, the U.S. had resorted to what he called “baseless” media narratives.
Foreign Minister Is Member of Six-Member Committee Under SNSC
Asked about President Pezeshkian’s reference to a six-member committee involved in decision-making within the Supreme National Security Council, Baqaei said the committee is part of the council and has, for several months, been responsible for the centralized review of issues related to negotiations.
He confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is one of the six members of the committee, which operates under the supervision of the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran Proposal Did Not Include IAEA Inspections in Exchange for Sanctions Relief
Rejecting reports that Iran had proposed allowing International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit nuclear sites in exchange for economic sanctions relief, Baqaei said no such proposal had been made.
“We did not enter into a discussion of the nuclear issue in exchange for sanctions,” he said.
He explained that Iran had conveyed its conditions to mediators through what became known as the “seven-day plan,” which were then expected to communicate them to the U.S. side.
No Consensus in Lebanon Over Iranian Ambassador
Regarding reports that Lebanon had requested a change in Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Baqaei said President Pezeshkian had held a “very good” meeting with the Lebanese prime minister.
He said Iran’s ambassador had previously received the necessary approval from Lebanese authorities and that diplomatic relations and the embassy issue had been discussed during the meeting.
Baqaei noted that there was no consensus within Lebanon itself on the matter, adding that Iran would seek to resolve any misunderstandings through dialogue with Lebanese officials.
Trump’s Claim About Iran’s Negotiating Counterpart Has No Basis
Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that it was unclear who his negotiating counterpart was in Iran, Baqaei said the assertion had no basis.
He said Iran had a coherent and organized decision-making structure and that U.S. officials knew who their counterparts were and understood how decisions were made within the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to Baqaei, the problem instead lays with contradictory statements and shifting positions among U.S. officials and political factions.
He said countries dealing with the United States had also complained about such inconsistencies, describing the U.S. claims as an attempt to deflect attention from problems within its own governance system.
Iran to Convey Further Points on U.S. Proposals
Baqaei said Iran’s position had already been conveyed to the mediator during a brief stop in Doha on the return journey.
He said U.S. proposals were broadly consistent with Washington’s previous positions and focused particularly on nuclear issues, while Iran had made clear that its current priority was the Strait of Hormuz.
He said restoring security to the strategic waterway required specific steps by the United States, including ending what Iran describes as disruption of its commercial shipping, lifting sanctions and halting other interventionist measures.
Baqaei said Iran also expected the removal of sanctions imposed by the United States in recent months.
He added that the concerns communicated by the United States through the Qatari mediator had been reviewed and that Iran would examine additional details before conveying further points to the other side.
Iran Will Pursue Diplomatic Opportunities, Even When Chances Are Limited
Asked about the passage of Iraqi and Algerian oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and the status of Iran’s diplomatic initiative, Baqaei said the central question was how to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
He attributed the deterioration of security in the Strait to U.S. and Israeli military attacks.
Baqaei stressed that Iran had never turned away from diplomacy and would continue to use diplomatic opportunities, even when the prospects for success appeared limited, in an effort to prevent further escalation and advance peace.
At the same time, he said previous experience had shown that the U.S. side had not demonstrated sufficient seriousness in pursuing diplomacy.
Pezeshkian to Attend CIS Summit in Turkmenistan
Baqaei said President Masoud Pezeshkian’s next major diplomatic engagement would be a visit to the Turkmen city of Avaza, where he is expected to attend two events.
One is the high-level meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, while the second is the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), where Pezeshkian is expected to participate as a special guest.
Iran Rejects British Claims, Demands Accountability
Regarding statements by British officials concerning Iran, Baqaei said the British ambassador had been summoned on Thursday and Iran’s formal protest had been conveyed.
He accused London of attempting to deflect attention from Britain’s responsibility for participating in military action against Iran.
Baqaei said Britain had directly participated by making military bases available for attacks against Iran and argued that such actions could not be obscured by portraying Iran as a threat.
Iran Warns Against Use of Regional Territory for Future Attacks
Baqaei said Iran attaches importance to good-neighborly relations with Arab states and other countries in the region.
He urged regional states, particularly those that have allowed the United States or Israel to use their facilities for attacks against Iran, to reconsider such arrangements.
“If we witness another attack by the United States and the Israeli regime in the future and the territory of these countries is used to attack Iran, it will certainly receive a different response,” he said.
Iran Remains Party to NPT
Asked whether Iran intends to use a potential parliamentary proposal to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as diplomatic leverage, Baqaei described the issue as serious and one that is being discussed within Iranian political and expert circles.
He argued that Iran, despite being an NPT member since 1970 and maintaining full compliance with its obligations, had faced military attacks against its nuclear facilities and the killing of scientists.
Baqaei said Iran’s Foreign Ministry would follow decisions made by the country’s competent authorities, adding that Iran currently remains an NPT member and is aware of its obligations under the treaty.
U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq Seen as Step Toward Stronger Iraqi Sovereignty
Commenting on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, Baqaei described the development as significant for strengthening Iraq’s national sovereignty.
He said the consequences of the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq over the past 23 years included serious crimes and instability, citing the Abu Ghraib prison abuses as an example.
He also linked the emergence of Daesh and takfiri terrorism to the consequences of the occupation, arguing that foreign occupation and intervention can contribute to violence, division and insecurity.
Baqaei expressed hope that the withdrawal would contribute to stronger bilateral relations and further safeguard Iraq’s sovereignty and independence.
Iran Following Developments Involving Taliban Authorities
Regarding reports about Taliban actions in Afghanistan, including the closure of Iranian-linked cultural and health centers and alleged mistreatment of Afghan Shiites, Baqaei said Iran had received the reports and considered the issue important.
He said the matter had been raised with relevant authorities in Kabul and would continue to be pursued seriously.
Iran Ready to Support Yemen Dialogue
On developments in Yemen, Baqaei reiterated Iran’s position that continued economic sanctions and a naval blockade, as well as military strikes, were not solutions to the crisis.
He said Yemenis had lived under economic sanctions and a naval blockade for approximately a decade and had the right to live normally and enjoy conditions comparable to those available to other nations.
Baqaei said dialogue based on a roadmap previously agreed between Yemenis and Saudi Arabia could provide a reasonable path forward, adding that Iran was prepared to provide any assistance it could to help advance the process.
Seven-Day Plan Was Iran’s Latest Diplomatic Initiative
Asked about measures to prevent further escalation and keep the diplomatic track open, Baqaei said Iran’s participation in the annual UN General Assembly had been partly aimed at pursuing that objective.
He described Iran’s seven-stage, or “seven-day,” plan as the country’s latest diplomatic initiative and said the international community had observed Iran’s goodwill and diplomatic approach.
Baqaei said Iran would continue to pursue diplomacy while firmly defending its national interests and security, adding that Iran’s armed forces remained vigilant and prepared to respond to any hostile action.
Iran to Coordinate With Russia, China on Nuclear Issue
Baqaei described Iran’s relations with Russia as “very good,” saying the two countries maintain regular coordination both bilaterally and through international organizations, including the UN Security Council and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
He said Iran and Russia share positions on a number of international issues, including opposition to unilateralism and militarism.
Regarding the nuclear issue, Baqaei said Iran would continue consultations with Russia and would coordinate with both Russia and China on future developments, describing them as influential members of the UN Security Council and important partners for Tehran.
Iran Calls on France to Respect Human Rights Commitments
Commenting on reports of student protests and police violence in France, Baqaei said disproportionate force against demonstrators could not be justified.
He called on French authorities to respect their human rights obligations when managing protests and to seriously investigate reports of violent police conduct.
He also said that human rights standards should be observed in connection with the detention of more than 3,000 people.
Iran Strengthening Defense Capabilities
Responding to U.S. officials’ statements about the possibility of renewed conflict in the region, Baqaei said Iran had demonstrated its determination to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.
He said threats and threatening statements would not deter Iran, adding that Tehran was focused both on strengthening its defense capabilities and drawing on lessons learned from its experience confronting its adversaries over the past 18 months.
U.S. Restrictions on Iran-Linked Flights Violate International Law
Regarding U.S. measures aimed at restricting Iran-linked flights and the responses by other countries, Baqaei said such measures were contrary to international law.
He argued that no country can apply its domestic laws to other countries extraterritorially and said such actions also undermine good-neighborly relations and friendly ties among regional states.
Baqaei said Iran’s Foreign Ministry was consulting with various countries to prevent the U.S. measures from adversely affecting air travel and connectivity between Iran and other countries.
He confirmed that flights between Iran and Iraq had resumed on Sunday and said consultations with other countries were continuing.
Iran Fully Prepared to Defend Itself Against Potential Conflict
Asked about the possibility of renewed U.S. or British efforts to shape public opinion or prepare for another attack against Iran, Baqaei said the entire country was prepared to defend itself.
He also accused Israel and some European countries of having a history of “false flag operations,” arguing that recent allegations against Iran should be viewed in that context.
Baqaei cited reports concerning a U.S. base used in attacks against Iran and a Flydubai flight, arguing that such incidents had been designed to create a perception of insecurity and direct blame toward Iran or other actors.
He said such narratives sought to shift attention away from the Palestinian and Gaza issue and U.S. and Israeli military aggression against the country.
Baqaei Doubts Grossi’s Pledge of Independence
Commenting on IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s statement that he would act independently and in accordance with the UN Charter if elected UN secretary general, Baqaei questioned the credibility of the pledge.
He suggested that Grossi’s remarks might reflect an awareness of criticism regarding his conduct as head of the IAEA.
Baqaei said the international community expects any future UN secretary general to act independently, adding that he considered it unlikely that such a change in approach would occur.
Maryam Abolbagha - seyed mohammad kazemi
