Asim Munir Carried No Positive or Negative Message; Iran Will Not Accept U.S. Dictates
WANA (Sep 01) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said the visit by Pakistan’s army chief to Tehran was part of Islamabad’s efforts to help reduce regional tensions, stressing that Iran makes decisions based on its national interests and will not yield to U.S. attempts to impose its demands.
At his weekly press conference with reporters, Esmaeil Baghaei addressed key issues related to Iran’s foreign policy, including Tehran’s position on talks with the United States, the Islamabad memorandum, Pakistan’s role in de-escalation efforts, nuclear issues, and relations with Europe.
Iran to Use All Diplomatic and Field Capacities to Protect Its Rights
Regarding the Foreign Ministry’s approach to the negotiations process with the United States, Baghaei said the ministry assesses developments based on the country’s interests and priorities, and any decision made by the relevant authorities will serve as the basis for action.
Referring to what he described as changing U.S. positions, he said Washington suffers from inconsistency in its statements and confusion in its policies, but this would not prevent Iran from using all available diplomatic and field capabilities.
The spokesman stressed that whenever necessary, Tehran would use diplomatic tools to explain its positions and safeguard the rights of the Iranian people.
Araghchi Outlines Objectives for Iran’s Delegation at Bishkek SCO Summit
WANA (Aug 31) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated on Monday that Iran’s primary focus at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek is to uphold the rights of the Iranian people following recent regional conflict and fighting. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday, August 31, leading […]
Asim Munir Carried No Positive or Negative Message
Commenting on the visit of Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Tehran, Baghaei said: “He carried neither a positive message nor a negative one.”
He explained that the visit was part of Pakistan’s role as a friendly and neighboring country, as well as Islamabad’s efforts in recent months to help reduce tensions.
According to Baghaei, de-escalation efforts are not limited to Pakistan, and several other countries have also played a role in this regard.
Regarding U.S. actions against Iran, he said such behavior was not new for Tehran, adding that Washington has repeatedly taken hostile measures under various pretexts and received the necessary response.
The spokesman said the main problem with the United States is that it confuses negotiations with “dictating terms” and believes it can impose its demands on others — an approach that will not work with Iran.
He added that Iran is closely monitoring the moves of the opposing side and that the country’s armed forces will not leave any aggression unanswered.
What Did Asim Munir’s Visit to Iran Achieve?
WANA (Aug 25) – The one-day visit of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, to Tehran concluded with Iranian and Pakistani officials describing the talks as constructive and productive. The visit focused on efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, explore ways to revive the Islamabad understanding, and discuss the reopening […]
Future of Islamabad Memorandum to Be Determined Based on Current Conditions
Regarding the status of the Islamabad memorandum, Baghaei said the United States violated its commitments after the agreement was signed at the highest level.
He stated that the U.S. president’s signature was attached to the memorandum and that Washington knowingly breached its commitments only around 21 or 22 days after accepting them.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said the United States must be held accountable for what he described as a “clear and widespread violation” of the memorandum, adding that Iran would decide on the future course of action based on existing circumstances.
He continued that as long as sanctions, maritime restrictions, and U.S. economic pressure continue, Iran’s priority remains defending itself and resisting Washington’s demands.
Restrictions on Educational Tests Part of U.S. Economic Pressure on Iran
Responding to restrictions imposed on international educational services, including the TOEFL exam for Iranian users, Baghaei said relevant Foreign Ministry departments were working to facilitate matters for students and applicants.
He said that if U.S. concerns were genuinely related to Iran’s nuclear program, educational exams and student services would have no connection to that issue.
The spokesman said such measures show that U.S. pressure is not limited to political and economic areas, but also targets science, education, technology, and Iran’s academic capacities.
He stressed that despite these restrictions, Iran would continue its activities through innovation, creativity, and the creation of alternative pathways.
TOEFL and GRE Exams Officially Suspended in Iran Following New U.S. Treasury Sanctions
WANA (Sep 01) – The administration of TOEFL and GRE examinations has been officially halted in Iran. Educational Testing Service (ETS) announced on its official TOEFL iBT registration portal that, in compliance with recent regulatory changes by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), testing operations for TOEFL and […]
U.S. Facing Crisis Caused by Its Own Mistakes
Commenting on what he described as contradictory U.S. positions regarding war and diplomacy with Iran, Baghaei said Washington has become confused because it is dealing with circumstances of its own making.
He said the United States has turned to spreading contradictory narratives in an attempt to avoid reality and is facing political erosion due to what he called an unlawful military action against Iran and the escalation of regional tensions.
According to Baghaei, opposition within the U.S. military structure and growing public fatigue with government policies are signs of the consequences of this approach, while “lying” has become part of Washington’s public diplomacy efforts to manage the situation.
No Nuclear Activity at Kalang Mountain
Regarding comments by the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about Iran’s nuclear activities, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran’s communication with the agency continues within normal frameworks, but there has been no new development in talks between the two sides.
Addressing claims about activities at Kalang Mountain, he reiterated that Iran had previously announced that it does not conduct nuclear activities in that area.
Baghaei said some political statements by IAEA officials at different times have created opportunities for Iran’s opponents to exploit the issue, adding that Tehran continues to call on the agency to act within its statutory responsibilities and avoid political involvement.
People drive near a billboard depicting U.S. President Donald Trump on a building in Tehran, Iran, August 31, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
U.S. Actions Not Limited to Minab and Lamerd
Regarding legal efforts to pursue U.S. attacks on Iran, Baghaei said Tehran does not need to rely on reports by Western media outlets or experts to prove what it considers to be crimes committed.
He said U.S. attacks in areas such as Minab, Lamerd, Qeshm, and other parts of Iran constitute war crimes from Tehran’s perspective and should not be reduced to only a few highlighted cases while other incidents are ignored.
The spokesman added that the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, due to the killing of a large number of children, and the Lamerd incident, due to the alleged use of prohibited weapons, received greater attention, but all cases must be documented for possible proceedings in domestic courts and international forums.
Volunteers search through the rubble of Minab school for the remains of students who were killed by a strike on February 28, in Minab, Iran, August 27, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Iran Warns Europe Against Following U.S. Policies
Regarding European support for U.S. sanctions against Iran, Baghaei said Europe would be mistaken if it believed that making concessions at Iran’s expense would help improve its position with Washington.
He said past experience has shown that following U.S. policies only encourages further demands from Washington, and Europe should learn lessons from previous experiences.
Referring to the snapback mechanism, Baghaei said European alignment with the United States not only failed to produce results for them, but also led Washington to exclude Europe from direct participation in negotiations with Iran.
He also said the European Union, by supporting U.S. sanctions, has moved away from principles such as the rule of law and even set aside its own regulations, including the “Blocking Statute.”
Baghaei stressed that European countries’ compliance with U.S. sanctions violates international law and EU regulations, and those involved in such decisions will bear political and legal responsibility for their consequences.
Is Iran Moving Toward a Nuclear Bomb?
WANA (Aug 23) – The remarks made last night by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on nuclear weapons are highly significant. In an unusually direct statement, a senior Iranian security official linked the value of nuclear weapons to “national security” and “the survival of the country.” Rezaei said the attack […]
Iran Remains Committed to Its Obligations Under the NPT
Responding to a question about the possibility of Iran withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the issue reflects a serious question raised by Iranian society and experts: how a country can remain a member of an international treaty while being deprived of its benefits and facing pressure and hostile actions despite fulfilling its obligations.
Baghaei said countries that have weakened the non-proliferation regime — particularly nuclear-armed states that claim to defend the system — must answer how their actions have undermined its credibility.
He stressed that as long as Iran remains an NPT member, it will continue to abide by its commitments under the treaty, adding that Tehran’s principled position on nuclear weapons has not changed.
According to Baghaei, Iran considers nuclear weapons, as the most destructive weapons of mass destruction, to be incompatible with its religious teachings as well as being anti-civilizational and against humanity.
U.S. Lacks a Rationale to Rally Countries Behind Economic War on Iran
Commenting on U.S. efforts to persuade other countries to join economic pressure campaigns against Iran, Baghaei said Washington lacks the necessary justification to convince other nations.
He added that only countries vulnerable to a policy of coercion may align with the United States, while no country committed to international law, the UN Charter, and humanitarian principles would support what he described as unlawful U.S. actions.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that U.S. measures are not only directed against Iran but also target principles such as national sovereignty and independence.
Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, he said Iran would use the opportunity to strengthen relations with member states, expand bilateral cooperation, and support multilateralism.
Pezeshkian in Bishkek: Iran’s Strategic Opportunity in Central Asia
WANA (Sep 01) – At a time when Washington is seeking to restrict Iran’s financial channels, Tehran is looking to open new pathways in Bishkek — routes that go beyond simply bypassing sanctions and could strengthen Iran’s position within the Eurasian economic network. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Kyrgyz capital began […]
U.S. Uses Manipulated Figures to Divert Attention from Its Actions
Addressing figures released by U.S. officials regarding developments inside Iran, Baghaei said it appears that what he called “lying” has become part of Washington’s public diplomacy.
He said figures presented by the U.S. side in recent months started at several thousand and later grew into much larger numbers, while Iran values the life of every single citizen.
The spokesman said the United States is attempting to shift global public attention away from what Tehran considers its actions in areas such as Minab and Lamerd by promoting exaggerated figures and fabricated narratives.
He stressed that changing or inflating statistics would not erase incidents such as Lamerd, and that the international community would not be misled by such efforts.
Trump: We Will Deliver a Heavy Response to Iran’s Attack
WANA (Aug 31) – U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a military response to Iran’s missile attack on American forces in Jordan, saying Washington will deliver a “heavy blow” in retaliation. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said: “We will respond to Iran’s attack on U.S. forces that took place in Jordan last night.” He […]
Sanctioning One SCO Member Means Pressuring All Members
Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s support for Iran’s sovereignty, Baghaei said countries that announce positions at the international level must also take responsibility for their consequences.
He stressed that members of organizations such as the SCO and BRICS should recognize that U.S. violations of international rules are not limited to one country and should work to protect their own rights and sovereignty.
The spokesman added that secondary U.S. sanctions against one country effectively place pressure on all countries that maintain economic and trade relations with it.
U.S. Claim About Attack on Larak Is False
Regarding U.S. claims that an attack on Iran’s Larak Island was carried out because Tehran was preparing to deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said the allegation was false.
He said the United States has repeatedly presented justifications for its actions, and that such claims should be examined within the broader pattern of Washington’s behavior over recent years.
The spokesman said the United States first referred to an “imminent threat,” then to the alleged “danger of Iran’s nuclear bomb,” and now presents new justifications for its actions.
He stressed that Iran’s defensive measures within its own territory are an internal matter, while U.S. attacks constitute clear military aggression for which Washington must be held accountable.
Larak Strike Exposes the Limits of U.S. Tech Strategy in the Strait of Hormuz
WANA (Aug 31) – The recent U.S. strike targeting two rocket launchers on Larak Island has exposed the limits of Washington’s tech-heavy military strategy, demonstrating that its costly sweeping operations have failed to achieve their stated objectives in the Strait of Hormuz. Field reports and analytical assessments published in August 2026 reveal a structural […]
The Roles of Accuser and Accused Should Not Be Reversed in Iran-U.S. Issue
Commenting on reports that Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir proposed bypassing some provisions of the Islamabad memorandum and starting new negotiations with the United States, Baghaei said such reports were largely media speculation.
He emphasized that the Pakistani commander’s visit was part of Islamabad’s efforts to prevent further escalation of tensions.
The spokesman said discussing a return to any agreement is not possible under current circumstances because the United States was the party that violated it first.
He stated: “The roles of the accuser and the accused should not be reversed; the United States started the war, violated the agreement, and resumed attacks.”
Iran’s Goal Is to Increase Costs for the U.S. to End the War
Responding to an analysis that Iran is seeking to increase the political, economic, and security costs for the United States in order to discourage Washington from continuing the war, Baghaei answered: “Yes.”
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are visible near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, August 27, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Iran Supports Initiatives to Strengthen Multilateralism
Regarding China’s Global Governance Initiative, Baghaei said Iran supports any effort aimed at strengthening peace, international security, multilateralism, and respect for the UN Charter.
He described China as an important partner for Iran and said Tehran seeks to use its relations with Beijing to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity among countries of the Global South.
U.S.-Venezuela Oil Deal Will Not Solve Washington’s Problems
Commenting on the oil agreement between the United States and Venezuela, Baghaei said assessing the nature of the deal is a matter for the Venezuelan people, but questions remain regarding its compatibility with international law and the interests of Venezuela’s population.
Referring to discussions about the model of Iran’s historic D’Arcy oil concession, he said the issue has no connection to Tehran, but emphasized that using large figures about Venezuela’s oil reserves cannot solve U.S. energy problems.
According to Baghaei, the solution to problems created by U.S. policies is for Washington to change course and end the approaches that have led it into crisis.
Iran Monitors the Last Remaining Oil Transit Route in the Strait of Hormuz
WANA (Aug 31) – Reports indicate that Iran has intensified surveillance and actions targeting ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfers in the Strait of Hormuz, a method that has become one of the few remaining options for moving oil shipments amid restrictions on maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. According to economic reports, MarineHelm, a maritime […]
Iran Has Not Sent Any Message to Restore Relations with Syria
Regarding statements by Syrian officials about Tehran-Damascus relations, Baghaei said Iran has not sent any message seeking to establish new relations with Syria.
He said Iran previously provided assistance at the request of Syria’s legitimate government at the time and within the framework of international law to combat terrorism and preserve Syria’s territorial integrity.
The spokesman also criticized Israel’s continued actions in Syria, referring to its occupation of parts of the Golan Heights and its attacks in the country.
Iran Does Not View Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Security Pact as a Threat
Regarding security cooperation among Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, Baghaei said Iran does not view the arrangement as a threat against itself.
He said regional Muslim countries have reached the conclusion that they cannot rely on U.S. promises for their security and must instead focus on cooperation and mutual trust.
The spokesman stressed that Iran remains in contact with these countries and that consultations with Turkey as an important neighbor will continue.
Armed Groups Still Active in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region
Regarding the implementation of the Iran-Iraq security agreement, Baghaei said Tehran expects Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government to take greater steps to secure their shared borders.
He added that Iran continues to witness some terrorist groups using areas in the Kurdistan Region to plan operations against Iran, and that this issue has repeatedly been conveyed to Iraqi officials.
Baghaei Slams EU’s Support for U.S. Economic Campaign
WANA (Sep 01) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei strongly criticized the European Union on Monday evening following its statement pledging to work alongside the United States and its allies to increase pressure on Iran. Responding to the EU’s decision to support Washington’s economic campaign, Baghaei cited Étienne de La Boétie’s Discours de […]
Europe Needs Moral Courage to Acknowledge U.S. Actions
Commenting on changes in the positions of some European countries regarding the war and its economic consequences, Baghaei said he hoped Europe would recognize that many of its economic and energy problems stem from what he described as unlawful U.S. actions in the region.
He added that European countries are aware of this reality but need “moral courage” to openly acknowledge it.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said the European Union’s recent position on regional developments was disappointing, arguing that European countries chose a path of accommodation with what he called the aggressor ra ther than addressing the main source of the crisis — a course that, he said, would not produce results.
