Baghaei: Iran’s Demand from Qatar Is Clarity on the Fate of Iranian Pilots
WANA (Aug 17) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei outlined Iran’s positions on the fate of Iranian pilots, developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, the Islamabad memorandum, relations with the United States and Europe, and Tehran’s ties with regional countries. He stressed that the Islamic Republic would use all available diplomatic and legal channels to pursue its rights and interests.
Following Up on the Fate of Iranian Pilots Since the First Days of the War
At his weekly press briefing, Baghaei responded to a question about the fate of four Iranian pilots who were targeted during a defensive mission in the early days of the war. He said the Foreign Ministry had been following up on their status since the very beginning.
He noted that one of the pilots had returned to Iran, while the fate of the other three remained unclear. Until definitive information is obtained, he said, Iran’s assumption is that they were taken captive.
Baghaei said the Foreign Ministry’s first correspondence with the International Committee of the Red Cross was sent on March 15 or 16. At the same time, the Iranian Embassy in Doha and the Foreign Ministry began pursuing the matter through the Qatari Embassy in Tehran. According to him, the issue has also been raised during various meetings and telephone conversations with Qatari officials.
The spokesman stressed that Iran’s demand from Qatar is simply to clarify the status of the pilots, adding that Tehran would make use of bilateral, multilateral and legal mechanisms in pursuing the matter.
Where Are the Three Iranian Pilots?
WANA (Aug 16) – Six months after two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets crashed in Qatar, a case that had until now been handled largely behind the scenes has suddenly surfaced at the official level of Tehran-Doha relations. Iran says three pilots from the two fighter jets were captured alive by Qatari forces and remain […]
Foreign Ministry Did Not Ask Parliament to Suspend Strait of Hormuz Bill
Baghaei also rejected reports that the Foreign Ministry had sent a letter to Parliament requesting that a bill concerning security and sustainable development in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf be put on hold.
He said the Foreign Ministry respects Parliament’s legislative process and would provide its expert views within the scope of its responsibilities. He added that existing laws concerning Iran’s sovereign rights in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman had also been taken into account in examining the issue.
Iran-Oman Talks on Strait of Hormuz Remain Complex
Regarding talks between Tehran and Muscat on establishing a mechanism for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said the two sides had reached an understanding on a “route map for maritime traffic.” However, the issue is expected to be finalized as part of a package alongside a joint statement.
He attributed the lengthy process to the complexity of the issue, the large number of actors involved and efforts by some parties to influence the negotiations.
Baghaei said Iran-Oman talks were continuing seriously and that the two sides were exchanging views on the text of the joint statement. The aim, he said, is to establish a mechanism that safeguards the sovereign rights of the two littoral states while ensuring the safety of international shipping.
Araghchi: Agreement with Oman Does Not Mean Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
WANA (Aug 08) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi clarified today that ongoing negotiations in Oman regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz do not signify a full reopening of the strategic waterway. Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference, Araghchi stated that the talks are focused specifically on establishing temporary transit […]
60-Day Period in Islamabad Memorandum No Longer Applicable
Addressing the expiration of the 60-day period mentioned in the Islamabad memorandum, Baghaei said the document does not actually establish a “60-day deadline” for Iran.
He explained that the memorandum envisaged a 60-day period for discussions on sanctions relief and the nuclear issue, with the possibility of extending the period if no agreement was reached. However, those talks never began because, according to Baghaei, the United States broadly violated the memorandum several weeks after it was signed on June 18.
He stressed that Iran does not formulate its policies based on ultimatums or time pressure, adding that the country’s armed forces are closely monitoring security developments.
Iran Denies Secret Talks with US in Erbil
The Foreign Ministry spokesman described reports of secret Iran-US talks in Erbil as “completely fabricated,” calling them part of a psychological operation aimed at creating divisions among Iran’s decision-making bodies.
He also stressed that Iran’s negotiating team enjoys the full confidence of the country’s political and defense institutions and that any decision on negotiations with the United States would be made after considering the views of the relevant authorities.
People walk by a mural depicting Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran, August 13, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Baghaei Responds to Bahrain’s Objections
In response to Bahrain’s objections to his recent comments on historical developments in the region, Baghaei reaffirmed Iran’s respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional countries.
He referred to UN Security Council Resolution 278 and UN Secretary-General’s Report No. 9772 concerning the process of resolving historical disputes between Iran and Britain.
At the same time, Baghaei said Iran considers the principle of good-neighborly relations the basis of its ties with regional countries. He described the involvement or cooperation of some regional states with the United States and Israel in attacks against Iran as inconsistent with that principle.
New US Sanctions Will Not Change Iran’s Position
Asked about the possibility of new sanctions or even a land blockade against Iran, Baghaei said such measures would have no impact on Tehran’s position.
Referring to Iran’s experience with previous sanctions and the US “maximum pressure” campaign, he said Iran had made the necessary preparations for various scenarios and continued US pressure and would use all available means to deal with new circumstances.
A man holds an Iranian flag, next to a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran, August 13, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Pakistan Remains Mediator Between Iran and US
Regarding Europe’s role in developments between Iran and the United States, Baghaei said European countries’ efforts to present their views or express readiness to mediate were natural, but no new mediator had emerged in the case.
He said Pakistan remains the main mediator on issues involving Iran and the United States, while Qatar has also been making efforts in this area. According to Baghaei, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent visit to Tehran was part of Islamabad’s mediation efforts and did not carry a special message from Pakistani officials.
Baghaei expressed regret over what he described as US violations of its commitments, saying such actions had harmed the mediation efforts of countries such as Oman and Pakistan.
Iran to Pursue Environmental Damage Caused by the War
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said Iran would pursue environmental damage resulting from attacks by the United States and Israel, as well as the consequences of the prolonged military presence of extra-regional forces in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
He said the environmental damage was not limited to recent incidents, arguing that decades of military presence and conflict in the region had produced far-reaching environmental consequences. Baghaei stressed that the damage was not limited to Iran and affected all littoral states of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
People walk on the beach, with vessels in the Strait of Hormuz visible near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 22, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Iran-Afghanistan Relations Continue Independently of Recognition Issue
Regarding Iran’s position toward the Taliban government, Baghaei said relations between Tehran and Kabul continue across various areas. He said the two neighboring countries, which share extensive cultural and historical ties, should take each other’s concerns into account.
He described the issue of recognizing the Taliban as a political and legal matter, saying a final decision would be made after the necessary assessments. However, he stressed that the issue does not prevent the continuation of economic, trade and other forms of interaction between the two countries.
Iran Criticizes Europe’s Human Rights Positions
Responding to recent statements by France and several European countries concerning human rights in Iran, Baghaei said those countries, from Tehran’s perspective, lacked the moral standing to make such criticisms.
He cited Europe’s positions on the Gaza war and the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran as the basis for this assessment, describing the repeated human rights allegations by European governments as evidence of what he called their double standards.
Activities of Two French Embassy Employees Described as a Vienna Convention Violation
Baghaei also addressed the activities of two French Embassy employees in Iran, saying that their claimed efforts in support of civil society were, in Tehran’s view, incompatible with the rules governing diplomatic activities.
He said French officials were expected to respond to the matter in a more rational manner, adding that the French ambassador had been summoned at the time and formally notified of Iran’s objection to the activities of the two individuals.
According to Baghaei, both individuals have since left Iran and were informed that they would not be permitted to return. He said the Foreign Ministry had taken the necessary measures within the scope of its responsibilities, while other relevant institutions had also communicated their positions through appropriate channels.
Iran Intelligence Ministry: France Must Answer for Diplomatic Interference
WANA (Aug 15) – Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has warned the French government that it will be held accountable for the actions of its diplomats, following the detention of two French diplomats who were found at a secret meeting place linked to a case involving foreign infiltration and interference. In a statement, the ministry […]
Countries in the Region No Longer See the U.S. as a Reliable Security Partner
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, referring to security developments in the region following the recent Iran-U.S. war, said one of the most significant consequences of these developments has been a shift in regional countries’ perceptions of the U.S. role in regional security arrangements.
Baghaei said many countries in the region, particularly following the two most recent wars, had concluded that the United States is an “unreliable and untrustworthy partner” and that its military presence in the region does not necessarily lead to greater security.
He added that this shift has underscored the need to strengthen regional security mechanisms, increase reliance on the region’s own capabilities, and build greater mutual trust—an approach that, according to Baghaei, Iran has emphasized for years.
U.S. Shift in Priorities Reflects Confusion
Responding to changes in the priorities announced by U.S. officials regarding Iran, Baghaei described them as evidence of continued confusion in Washington.
He said the United States initially justified the war by claiming that Iran posed an “imminent threat,” but that claim was rejected by the Pentagon. The issue of Iran’s nuclear program was subsequently presented as another justification.
Criticizing this approach, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said the recent war lacked legitimate grounds and argued that Washington’s constantly changing stated objectives demonstrated an attempt to justify the consequences of the conflict.
He also identified the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as one of the United States’ current priorities, noting that the strait had been open before the conflict began on February 28. According to Baghaei, military actions by the United States and Israel contributed to worsening insecurity in the region.
Baghaei concluded this part of his remarks by saying that acknowledging a mistake can be the first step toward making the right decision, while expressing doubt that such a willingness currently exists among U.S. decision-makers.
Is a New U.S.-Iran War on the Horizon?
WANA (Aug 17) – An assessment of the current military and political landscape suggests that, under present circumstances, the United States has limited incentive to enter a new full-scale war with Iran. Recent confrontations have also shown that targeted and limited strikes do not necessarily lead to a change in Tehran’s strategic behavior and […]
Tajik Officials Visit Tehran
The Foreign Ministry spokesman described the visit of Tajikistan’s ministers of energy and water resources and transport to Tehran as important, saying it was conducted as part of efforts to implement previous understandings between the two countries.
Highlighting the growing relations between Iran and Tajikistan, Baghaei emphasized the two countries’ shared historical, cultural and linguistic ties, saying these commonalities could provide a foundation for expanding economic, trade and cultural relations.
According to Baghaei, Tehran-Dushanbe relations have expanded at an accelerated pace in recent years, and the latest visit was carried out in line with previous agreements, including understandings reached between the two countries’ presidents.
Caspian Sea Water Level to Be Discussed at Upcoming Meeting
Regarding the significant decline in the level of the Caspian Sea, Baghaei said the issue had become an important area of cooperation among the five littoral states.
Referring to the Tehran Convention on the protection of the Caspian Sea’s environment, he said meetings among the member states are held regularly and that the decline in the Caspian’s water level has intensified in recent years.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman cited climate change, increased evaporation and reduced water inflow into the Caspian as factors being discussed in connection with the trend, adding that the technical aspects of the issue fall within the responsibility of Iran’s Department of Environment.
Baghaei said a meeting of the states party to the Caspian Sea environmental convention is scheduled to be held in Tehran in late August or early September, with the decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level expected to be one of the main issues on the agenda.
Caspian Sea Convention: A Framework for Iran’s Northern Security
WANA (Aug 10) – The provisions of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea establish a common legal framework for managing security, economic, environmental and maritime issues in the Caspian Sea. The convention, reached after two decades of negotiations among the five littoral states, could, if implemented, play an important role in […]
