Baghaei: Iran Has Been the Graveyard of Foreign Illusions
WANA (Mar 09) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the future and borders of Iran will be determined solely by the will of the Iranian people, responding to recent military developments and remarks by U.S. officials about Iran’s future.
He added that as long as military aggression continues, the country’s main priority remains defending its territorial integrity.
Foreign Ministry Statement on the Selection of a New Leader
At the start of the weekly press briefing on Monday, March 9, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei referred to recent developments and said the country is now in the second week of “the Iranian nation’s battle against military attacks by the United States and Israel.” During this period, he said, Iranian military forces have made significant sacrifices in defending the country.
He described the most important development of the day as the announcement of the selection of a new leader of the Islamic Republic and read an official statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.
The statement paid tribute to those killed in the recent attacks and congratulated Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei on his selection as the third leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a decision made in accordance with the constitution and the vote of the Assembly of Experts.
It added that the selection of a new leader under the current sensitive circumstances would “guarantee national unity and cohesion, as well as the country’s independence and territorial integrity.” Iranian diplomats also declared their allegiance to the new leader and reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding national interests.
A woman holds a picture of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after his son Mojtaba Khamenei was introduced as Iran’s new supreme leader, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 9, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Response to U.S. President’s Remarks About Changing Iran’s Map
Responding to a question about recent remarks by the U.S. president suggesting the possibility of changes to Iran’s map after the war, Baghaei said: “The will of the Iranian nation is what matters—not the will of malicious outsiders. Countries are formed on the basis of national sovereignty and the right of peoples to self-determination, not according to the views of those who appear to see the entire planet as a real estate enterprise.”
He added that the borders of any country are the result of that nation’s historical, social, and cultural evolution, and that Iran’s map represents a symbol of national identity for Iranians.
According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, throughout history Iran has been “the graveyard of the wishes and illusions of outsiders,” and the Islamic Republic will defend its territorial integrity.
He also warned that indifference by other countries toward such trends could weaken international norms.
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U.S. Objectives Behind the Attack on Iran
Speaking about Washington’s motives for military action against Iran, Baghaei said he believes the primary goal of the United States is to gain control over other countries’ resources.
He referred to statements by some American politicians suggesting that access to Iran’s oil could give the United States control over a large share of global oil resources.
Recalling the historical background of Iran–U.S. relations, Baghaei said Washington’s hostility toward Tehran did not begin in 1979 but dates back to the 1953 coup, when the United States played a role in overthrowing Iran’s elected government.
He also said that in recent years diplomatic processes between the two countries have collapsed even while negotiations were underway.
“Demonization” to Justify Attacks
Baghaei said one of the well-known tactics in wartime is “demonizing the other side” so that global public opinion does not react strongly to violent actions.
According to him, in such narratives Iranians are portrayed as “an evil people” in order to justify attacks against them.
He stressed that the recent military attacks have not distinguished between ethnic groups or social segments within Iran, and that civilians have also been targeted.
“Iran’s defense,” he added, “is not only the defense of its borders, but also the defense of human dignity and the rules that the international community has worked to establish.”
People attend a funeral of Zainab Sahebi, a two-year-old child who was killed in a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 7, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
“The Goal Is to Weaken Iranian Identity”
Responding to a question about attacks on non-military facilities including schools, Baghaei said an examination of how the war began suggests the strikes were not limited to military targets.
Referring to attacks on several civilian sites during the first days of the war, he said the number of civilian casualties initially exceeded that of military personnel.
According to him, this indicates that the primary aim was “to pressure society and weaken a country and its identity.”
Criticism of Regional Countries’ Role
Baghaei also pointed to the role of some regional countries in the conflict, saying that in recent days the territory and facilities of certain regional states have been used to carry out attacks against Iran.
He argued that the U.S. military presence in the region has produced instability rather than security.
He added that under international law, if a country allows its territory to be used to launch attacks against another state, such action could be considered participation in aggression.
Criticism of the UN Security Council
In another part of his remarks, Baghaei criticized the performance of the United Nations Security Council, saying that under the UN Charter it was obligated to act in response to “clear military aggression” against a member state.
“The Security Council,” he said, “is heavily influenced by the United States and some of its allies, and in recent years we have witnessed the erosion of the rules of international law.”
Under such circumstances, he added, Iran will continue to exercise its right to self-defense.
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Iran Focused on Defense as War Continues
Asked about the possibility of a ceasefire, Baghaei said that while military attacks continue, Iran’s main focus remains defending the country.
He stressed that the war was not initiated by Iran and was imposed on the country while negotiations were still ongoing.
“In such circumstances,” he said, “other issues are not a priority.”
Response to the French President’s Phone Call
Explaining the recent phone conversation between the president of France and Iranian officials, Baghaei said the ongoing war has been the central topic of discussions these days.
He added that some countries appear more concerned about economic consequences such as rising energy prices, whereas Iran is concerned about the lives of its citizens.
He also criticized the role of some European countries in recent years, saying their alignment with certain U.S. policies has intensified regional crises.
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Attack on the Destroyer Dena
Baghaei described the U.S. attack on the Iranian destroyer Dena as a clear violation of international law.
He said the warship was targeted far from the Persian Gulf region and that the attack violated the legal rules governing warfare at sea.
According to him, the strike also breached several international conventions, including regulations concerning assistance to damaged vessels at sea.
Iran’s Armed Forces Committed to the Laws of War
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Iran’s armed forces consider themselves bound by humanitarian principles and ethical rules in warfare.
Referring to the Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s, he said Iranian forces did not commit war crimes during that conflict.
In contrast, he described attacks on Iran’s infrastructure and environment as crimes against both humanity and nature.
Dena battleship is seen during the welcome ceremony of the army fleet members in Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 21, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Response to Claims of Iran’s Military Weakness
Responding to some assessments suggesting that Iran’s missile and drone capabilities have been reduced, Baghaei said such evaluations stem from “miscalculations” by the opposing side.
He emphasized that the true capabilities of Iran’s armed forces will become evident on the battlefield.
Legal Action in International Forums
Baghaei said Iran is pursuing cases of violations of international law in the war through the United Nations, human rights bodies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.
He warned that the normalization of violations of international law could have broader consequences for other countries as well.
A view of destroyed window blinds and debris following an Israeli and U.S. strike on Motahhari Hospital, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Status of Foreign Embassies in Tehran
Addressing the situation of foreign embassies in Iran, Baghaei said that despite wartime conditions, more than half of the diplomatic missions in Tehran remain active.
Some countries have reduced their operations, he said, but the security of diplomats is guaranteed by the Iranian government.
Denial of Attacks on Neighboring Countries
The spokesperson also rejected reports claiming that projectiles had been launched from Iran toward Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Cyprus.
He said Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces has stated that no such attacks originated from Iranian territory, and that British officials have also confirmed the same regarding Cyprus.
Baghaei suggested the possibility of “false flag operations” in the region and urged countries to verify information before taking positions.
Commitment to Continued Defense
Concluding the briefing, Baghaei said the Iranian people would defend their national sovereignty and security through unity and solidarity.
He also expressed appreciation for Iranian military forces stationed on the front lines, saying they are defending the country and its people.
