WANA (Nov 04) – In his weekly press conference, Esmail Baghaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated: “November 3 is our National Day against Arrogance, reflecting our commitment to freedom and defense against foreign threats.” He emphasized the need to protect Iran’s sovereignty and vowed to counter aggressions, particularly from Israel while reaffirming Iran’s stance against weapons of mass destruction.

 

Change in Iran’s Nuclear Doctrine

Regarding recent media analyses of Kamal Kharazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and former foreign minister’s comments on the potential shift in Iran’s nuclear doctrine and extending missile range, Baghaei stated: “Our official stance against weapons of mass destruction and the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program is entirely clear.”He added, “As emphasized in the recent speech by the Supreme Leader, we will equip ourselves with whatever is necessary to defend Iran.”

 

No Consulate Expulsions in Germany

Baghaei refuted reports of Iranian consular staff expulsions from Germany following Germany’s response to Jamshid Sharmahd’s execution. “No expulsions have occurred. We have had consistent communication with German authorities in Tehran and Berlin,” he said, adding that Germany’s reaction to Iran’s legal proceedings against a terrorist criminal was unjustified. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has held meetings to ensure consular services for Iranians in Germany.

No Justification for Snapback Mechanism Activation

In response to reports suggesting that the UK may consider activating the “snapback” mechanism against Iran, Baghaei said, “We have long evaluated all potential scenarios. Necessary decisions regarding our possible reactions have been made, and we’ve clarified that there is no justification for invoking mechanisms under Resolution 2231, as Iran continues to honor its commitments.”

 

Israeli Influence on ICC Proceedings 

Baghaei addressed the issue of changes in the composition of judges at The Hague and the legal pursuit of Israeli officials, stating that Iran supports all efforts to hold the Israeli regime accountable for its crimes in Gaza and Lebanon. Despite not being a member of the International Criminal Court, Iran has communicated its stance to the court from the beginning.

 

He expressed concerns over possible Israeli influence on the legal proceedings, noting that this issue appears to be rooted in a long history of the Israeli regime and its supporters attempting to obstruct criminal accountability. Baghaei pointed out that there was a swift reaction from U.S. congressional and presidential officials following the ICC prosecutor’s request for legal action against Israeli leaders, and he hopes this will not further hinder justice.

 

Iraq’s Protest at the UN

Baghaei confirmed that Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN Security Council over airspace misuse against Iran, demonstrating Iraq’s opposition to its territory being used for hostile actions.

Rejection of Allegations on Arms Supply to Russia

In response to allegations of arms transfers to Russia, Baghaei dismissed these as baseless and criticized the sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Iran’s aviation industry, calling them measures designed to harm the Iranian people.

 

Denial of Omani Foreign Minister’s Visit

Baghaei denied reports of an upcoming visit by Oman’s Foreign Minister to Iran.

 

U.S. Elections and Iranian Resolve

Commenting on the U.S. elections, Baghaei remarked that Iranians have shown resilience and a commitment to national sovereignty, regardless of changes in U.S. leadership. This resolve, he noted, only grows stronger with time.

 

Baghaei stated that the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, specifically regarding the nuclear issue, have been suspended following recent developments.

 

The spokesperson also remarked that U.S. elections are a matter for the American people, but Iran closely monitors their actions. He noted that historically, there has not been much difference in U.S. policy toward Iran, regardless of the administration in power.

 

U.S. Military Build-up in the Region Increases Tension

When asked about the U.S. deploying additional military assets to West Asia, Baghaei said, “The U.S. presence in the region destabilizes it further. We emphasize that foreign forces, particularly the U.S., only heighten regional tensions. This military build-up will not deter our resolve to defend ourselves.”

 

He added, “Regional countries must recognize that securing stability and security requires cooperative regional solutions. Our actions in the past year were meant to restore balance in the JCPOA, responding to the U.S.’s unilateral exit and European parties’ failure to counteract the impact of that withdrawal.”

Germany is the Second-Largest Arms Supplier to Israel

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that Germany is the second-largest supplier of weapons to Israel. He noted that the Israeli regime ignored the International Court of Justice’s request following South Africa’s legal actions. He urged for a judgment on whether the approach of some European countries is sincere or duplicitous.

 

Response to the Abduction of UNIFIL Personnel in Lebanon

Regarding the abduction of a UNIFIL personnel by the Israeli regime, the spokesperson expressed that such actions are not surprising, as abduction, terrorism, and insecurity are consistent tactics of Israel. He emphasized that doubts surrounding the situation are not unfounded, particularly considering Germany’s role as a major arms supplier to Israel, suggesting that this warrants examination by international bodies.

 

Iran’s Clear Response to Israel

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to a question about former Israeli official Lieberman’s call for a preemptive strike on Iran, stating, “Our response is clear. The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond with full force and utmost severity to any encroachment or threat to its national security, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.”

Hope for Collective Action Among Islamic Nations

He mentioned that the UN Security Council is currently paralyzed due to the obstacles set by the U.S. and its supporters of Israel. He expressed hope for more serious discussions at the upcoming November 11 summit in Riyadh, urging Islamic countries to take collective and meaningful actions to stop Israeli atrocities.

 

Concerns Over UNRWA Closure

On the issue of UNRWA’s closure in Palestine, he stated that it had raised awareness globally, with even some of Israel’s supporters issuing warnings.

 

Iran’s Commitment to Combatting Drug Trafficking

The spokesperson highlighted Iran’s significant sacrifices in the fight against drug trafficking over the past decades, calling for enhanced cooperation with neighboring countries, including Turkey, in this regard.

 

Security Agreement with Iraq

He acknowledged Iraq’s commitment to securing their shared borders and emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing any shortcomings in their agreements during ongoing political and security dialogues.

BRICS Visa Waiver Under Review

He mentioned that the visa waiver is under consideration within BRICS, an alliance with significant potential that Iran seeks to leverage for regional security and economic development.

 

Strategic Partnership Agreement with Russia

Baghaei noted that the Iran-Russia strategic cooperation agreement is under review, with discussions ongoing regarding the timing of its signing.

 

Support for Turkey’s Initiative to Halt Israeli Crimes

He affirmed Iran’s support for Turkey’s initiative to impose an arms embargo on Israel, aligning with Iran’s commitment to preventing Israeli crimes.

 

Grossi’s Visit to Tehran Under Review

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi’s visit to Tehran is planned. The details will be announced once they are finalized. The visit aims to address issues raised by the IAEA.

 

Response to Rumors of Afghan Nationals’ Deaths at Iran Border

In response to reports of Afghan nationals allegedly killed at Iran’s border, Baghaei dismissed these claims as baseless and urged accuracy in reporting, noting that Afghan officials had also issued statements on the matter.