WANA (Mar 10) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Baqaei, addressed various issues during his weekly press conference, including speculation about whether Iran had received a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump. “No letter has been received,” he confirmed.

 

Rejecting the “War or Negotiation” Narrative

Responding to a question about the U.S. presenting a binary choice between war and negotiation, Baqaei stated that such rhetoric indicates a lack of seriousness in pursuing real dialogue. “Threatening to use force is prohibited under all international laws and regulations,” he asserted.

 

He emphasized that the Iranian nation has consistently resisted such threats over the years, calling the U.S. approach “bullying, lawless, and dismissive of international norms.” Baqaei reiterated that meaningful negotiations cannot take place under pressure and threats, referencing a recent tweet by Iran’s foreign minister, which echoed this stance.

 

U.S. Sanctions Deemed “Illegal” and a Crime Against Humanity

Addressing Washington’s maximum pressure campaign and its refusal to extend Iraq’s sanctions waiver for purchasing electricity from Iran, Baqaei called these actions an admission of U.S. lawlessness.

 

“Unilateral sanctions against Iran have no legal or legitimate basis and constitute an international wrongful act,” he stated, insisting that the U.S. must be held accountable for their impact on the Iranian people.

 

Baqaei urged regional nations to act in their own national interest rather than succumb to U.S. pressure, cautioning that such coercion could harm both Iran and the broader region. He emphasized Iran’s strong ties with Iraq and expressed hope that decisions would be made in line with the interests of both nations.

 

Iran Open to Real Negotiations, But Not Under Threats

When asked about the possibility of talks with the U.S., Baqaei stressed that Iran has never outright rejected negotiations but does not recognize intimidation-based discussions as legitimate. “Negotiation should not be confused with psychological warfare,” he said.

 

He also highlighted Iran’s ongoing dialogue with European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, as well as China and Russia, stating that a technical meeting with these nations is expected in the near future. Baqaei reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy but warned that genuine negotiations must be free from coercion and psychological operations.

 

All Countries Involved in Syria Bear Direct Responsibility

The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson responded to reports about a meeting of Syria’s neighboring countries held without Iran’s participation and claims that Iran has been sidelined from the Astana peace process. He stated that Iran is aware of the meeting, which included certain neighboring states of Syria.

 

He emphasized that any country that sees itself as playing a role in Syria’s developments bears direct responsibility for its consequences. He urged these nations to carefully consider the impact of their actions on Syria’s security and stability.

 

Blaming Iran is Misleading and Baseless

Addressing allegations that Iran and its allies in Iraq were behind recent unrest in Syria, the spokesperson dismissed such claims as “absurd and unfounded.” He asserted that pointing fingers at Iran and its partners is a deliberate misdirection and a completely misleading narrative.

 

“These accusations oversimplify the complexities of Syria’s crisis and do nothing to improve the situation,” he said. He also called for an immediate end to the killing of innocent civilians, especially vulnerable minority groups, stressing that this should be the main concern of those involved in Syria’s affairs.

 

Iran’s Concerns Clearly Communicated to Turkey

Regarding a recent meeting between Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers in Jeddah, the spokesperson commented on Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s recent remarks criticizing Iran’s regional policies.

 

He confirmed that Iran had summoned the Turkish ambassador while Turkey had also called in Iran’s chargé d’affaires in response to diplomatic tensions. During the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Jeddah, Iranian officials conveyed their concerns and objections directly to their Turkish counterparts.

 

“Iran values its bilateral relations with Turkey, but we reject any blame-shifting regarding Syria. We expect all nations involved in Syria’s affairs to take responsibility for their actions and refrain from making baseless and misleading statements that complicate the regional situation,” he added.

 

Iran Urges Countries to Cut Financial and Trade Ties with Israel

Speaking on efforts by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to halt the violence, the spokesperson stated that over the past two years, numerous Islamic nations have voiced opposition to financial, military, and political support for Israel.

 

“We have been part of this process for a clear reason,” he said. “If we acknowledge that genocide is occurring in Gaza—through means such as cutting off water and electricity and starving civilians—then there is no doubt about it.”

 

He further highlighted that both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have opened cases regarding the situation, with UN human rights experts affirming that the events in Gaza amount to genocide. Under international conventions, states have obligations to prevent genocide and must refrain from aiding any party involved in such crimes.

 

“The first step is to halt arms shipments to Israel,” he stressed. “Unfortunately, this has not been realized, as the U.S. and some European countries continue to supply weapons. However, more crucially, a key demand of Islamic nations, as stated in the recent resolution, is that countries must cease financial and trade support for Israel as long as its occupation and crimes persist—something that has continued uninterrupted for the past eight decades.”

 

The spokesperson noted that this stance is not limited to Islamic countries, as the African Union has also recently emphasized the necessity of stopping all financial and military aid to Israel.

 

Iran’s Regional Ties Based on Mutual Respect and Interests

Addressing Iran’s relations with neighboring countries especially Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that regional nations value their sovereignty and independence, making the best decisions for themselves. “Our relations with the region are growing and are built on mutual respect and shared interests,” he said. “Moving forward, Iran and its neighbors will continue to engage positively, recognizing our common benefits.”

 

Iran Summons Swedish Ambassador Over “Unacceptable” Remarks

The Foreign Ministry summoned Sweden’s ambassador following what it called “inappropriate” remarks by a Swedish official regarding Iran’s internal affairs. “The statements made were not only meddlesome but also devoid of truth and reality,” the spokesperson said. He stressed that Iran considers such rhetoric unacceptable and has conveyed its protest to Sweden’s government through official diplomatic channels.

 

Iran and EU Troika to Hold Expert-Level Talks in Late March

Regarding European threats to activate the “snapback” mechanism, the Iranian Foreign Ministry dismissed such moves as unjustified. “There is no basis for triggering the mechanism, and it appears the other parties have reached the same conclusion—they cannot use this as leverage,” the spokesperson stated.

 

He added that European nations understand the consequences of resorting to such measures and announced that expert-level discussions between Iran and the European Troika (France, Germany, and the UK) are likely to take place in late March.

 

On the recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting, the spokesperson criticized the agency’s director-general for making politically motivated statements lacking technical grounds. “These claims do nothing but fuel tensions and undermine the IAEA’s credibility,” he said.

 

He dismissed concerns over uranium enrichment levels, emphasizing that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) imposes no restrictions on enrichment itself, only on compliance with safeguards. “If enrichment levels rise, inspections should increase accordingly. Iran has adhered to this, as the IAEA itself acknowledges.”

 

The spokesperson explained that enrichment levels depend on the needs of Iran’s nuclear industry. “For example, Iran has used uranium enriched to 20%, 60%, and even higher levels for the Tehran Research Reactor. Claims questioning the peaceful nature of our nuclear program are neither technically sound nor aligned with global realities.” He also pointed out that such allegations have been repeated for over 30 years without any evidence to support them.

 

Iran’s Maritime Trade is Fully Legal and Legitimate

The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed reports suggesting that the United States plans to inspect and seize Iranian oil tankers in international waters, calling such claims baseless and unlawful.

 

In response to a Reuters report on the matter, the spokesperson accused the news agency of repeatedly violating journalistic principles and acting as part of a broader disinformation campaign against Iran and the West Asia region. “This is not a new development,” he added, criticizing what he described as the publication of false and misleading reports.

 

He further emphasized that any such action would be in clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. “There is no legal basis for any disruptive measures against the trade and commercial activities of countries in international waters,” he stated.

 

Reaffirming Iran’s stance, the spokesperson stressed, “Iran’s maritime trade is fully legitimate and in accordance with international regulations. We will continue our activities in international waters based on international law.”

 

Iran Condemns Violence in Syria

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed concern over recent violent incidents in Syria, particularly along its western coast. He condemned the violence, including the killing of religious minorities such as Alawites, Christians, and Druze. “Any form of violence against civilians is unacceptable,” he stated, emphasizing the human toll and global shock caused by these actions.

 

The spokesperson called the developments a critical test for Syrian authorities to protect all citizens’ safety and security. He also noted that Iran has communicated its concerns to countries with influence in Syria, urging an end to the violence.

 

Iran-China Relations Based on Mutual Respect and Interests

On Iran’s relations with China, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the ties as highly valuable, rooted in mutual respect and historical connections. He highlighted China’s positive role in the region and its contributions to global development efforts, particularly in international norm-setting processes. “We hope this positive engagement continues,” he added.

 

Iran Criticizes IAEA Chief’s Remarks as Politically Driven

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to Rafael Grossi’s recent remarks at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, stating that they were disappointed by the IAEA Director General’s comments, which lacked technical basis and appeared politically motivated. The spokesperson labeled these remarks as a “fallacy” that undermines the Agency’s technical credibility.

 

He emphasized that under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, there are no restrictions on enrichment, and any increase in enrichment should be matched with increased inspections, a principle Iran has adhered to. The spokesperson also refuted claims questioning the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, calling them unsubstantiated and politically driven.

 

OIC Ministers’ Final Statement on Palestine

Regarding the final statement from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Jeddah, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson highlighted the emphasis on the Palestinian cause. The statement urged Islamic countries to use all means to advance the Palestinian agenda, including rejecting any plans for forced displacement of Palestinians, which were labeled as ethnic cleansing and genocide.

 

The statement also supported regional plans for the reconstruction of Gaza without displacing its people and stressed the importance of humanitarian aid and political support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Additionally, the OIC highlighted the urgent need to assist Palestinian orphans, with over 40,000 losing family members due to Israeli military actions.