Baghaei: US Proposals are in Line with Previous Positions on Nuclear Issue
WANA (Oct 04) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the US proposals were largely in line with Washington’s previous positions on the nuclear issue, stressing that Tehran had made clear that its focus at this stage was on the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Baghaei said Iran had conveyed its positions to the US side through the Qatari intermediary during the Iranian delegation’s brief stop in Doha on its return from New York.
He said the US proposals were broadly consistent with Washington’s previous positions, particularly regarding nuclear issues, adding that Iran had explicitly made clear that its focus at this stage was the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghaei said securing the Strait of Hormuz and restoring security to the waterway required specific steps by the United States, including ending interference with Iran’s commercial shipping, lifting sanctions and halting other interventionist measures.
He said all the issues previously included in the June 18 understanding, as well as matters added over the following months, were part of Iran’s considerations, stressing that sanctions imposed by the United States during this period must also be lifted.
Baghaei added that the US considerations conveyed through the Qatari intermediary had been reviewed and that Iran had responded by conveying its own positions. He said Tehran would further review some details and convey additional points to the other side.
Mohajerani: Araghchi Received US Response to Qatar-Mediated Proposal
WANA (Sep 30) – Iranian Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has received the US side’s response to an Iranian proposal through the Qatari intermediary. Mohajerani said that despite efforts to isolate Iran, the Iranian delegation remained at the center of attention and held numerous meetings with European countries, Persian Gulf […]
Iran Urges Neighboring Countries to Respect Good-Neighborliness
Commenting on regional developments and Israel’s use of facilities in neighboring countries, Baghaei said Iran expected all neighboring states to uphold the principles of good-neighborliness and prevent their territory and facilities from being exploited by actors that disregard regional security and welfare.
He said Iran had clearly conveyed its concerns to regional countries, particularly those that had provided territory or facilities during the US and Israeli military aggression against Iran. Baghaei said Iran had held meetings and discussions with almost all southern Persian Gulf countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Referring to the release of several Iranian nationals from prison in the UAE the previous night, he thanked the Emirati authorities for their cooperation and expressed hope that the remaining detained Iranians would also be released soon.
US Resorts to Media Reports After Failing to Prevent Iranian Delegation’s Presence
Responding to a US media report that two members of the Iranian delegation had been “expelled” from the United States, Baghaei said the report was completely false.
He said Iran had been transparent from the outset about the arrival and departure schedules of its delegation members, adding that the foreign minister’s departure date had also been known in advance.
Baghaei said one of the diplomats mentioned in the report had initially planned to remain in New York for several more days but left because of the pressure exerted on him, while the other departures took place according to schedule.
Araghchi: Fake Expulsion Report Shows Desperation and Defeat
WANA (Oct 04) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has rejected a report claiming that Iranian diplomats were expelled from the United States, saying all Iranian diplomats who attended the UN General Assembly, except one who had departed earlier, left the country as scheduled. In a post on X, Araghchi said the Iranian […]
He said the US admission of violating its obligations as the host country demonstrated that Washington was not a worthy host for the United Nations. Baghaei said that after failing to prevent the Iranian delegation from attending the UN General Assembly and failing to isolate Iran, the United States had resorted to such media reports.
Iran Proposal Does Not Include IAEA Inspections in Exchange for Sanctions Relief
Regarding reports that Iran had proposed allowing International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to inspect nuclear sites in exchange for sanctions relief, Baghaei rejected the report.
He said no such issue had been raised and that Iran’s proposal did not include IAEA inspections in exchange for sanctions relief. Baghaei said Iran’s conditions had been conveyed through mediators as part of the “seven-day plan.”
No Consensus in Lebanon Over Iran’s Ambassador Issue
Regarding President Pezeshkian’s meeting with the Lebanese prime minister and reports concerning Iran’s ambassador in Beirut, Baghaei said the meeting had been very good.
He said Iran’s ambassador had already received approval from the relevant Lebanese authorities and that diplomatic relations and the issue of the embassy had been discussed.
Baghaei said there was no consensus on the issue within Lebanon, adding that Iran wanted to resolve the misunderstandings through dialogue with Lebanese officials.
Meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sep 24, 2026. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Trump’s Remarks About Iran’s Negotiating Side Have No Basis
Responding to US President Donald Trump’s remarks that it was unclear who his negotiating counterpart was inside Iran, Baghaei said the remarks had no basis.
He said Iran was highly cohesive and organized in terms of decision-making and that US officials knew their counterpart in Iran and understood the country’s decision-making process.
Baghaei said the problem was the contradictory and constantly changing statements coming from the US side, with different factions often neutralizing one another’s positions.
Iran Will Use Diplomatic Opportunities Even When Chances Are Limited
Asked about the passage of Iraqi and Algerian oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and whether similar permits could be extended to other friendly countries, Baghaei said the key issue was ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
He said the key to restoring security was ending US aggressive and interventionist actions, noting that insecurity in the Strait had emerged following the US and Israeli attack.
Baghaei said Iran had never turned away from diplomacy and would continue to use diplomatic opportunities, even when the chances appeared limited, to prevent escalation and achieve peace.
Baghaei: Interaction with US Side Took Place Through Qatari Mediator
WANA (Sep 23) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the interaction with the US side in New York took place through a Qatari mediator. Speaking about reports of Iran-US negotiations in New York, Baghaei said the interaction was aimed at conveying Iran’s conditions, including an end to the war on all fronts, […]
Pezeshkian to Attend CIS Summit in Turkmenistan
Baghaei said President Pezeshkian would travel to Avaza, Turkmenistan, to attend the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as a special guest.
Portraying Iran As a Threat Cannot Conceal the UK’s Role in Military Aggression
Regarding British officials’ statements against Iran, Baghaei said the British ambassador had been summoned, and Iran’s formal protest had been conveyed. He said Britain’s statements were an attempt to divert attention from its responsibility for participating in military aggression against Iran.
Baghaei said Britain had made its military bases available for attacks against Iran and that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s remarks about the use of European bases constituted another explicit admission.
He said portraying Iran as a threat or attributing hostile intentions to Tehran could not erase Britain’s participation in hostile action against Iran.
Reuse of Regional Territory for Attacks on Iran Will Draw a Different Response
Responding to a question about the differing positions of Arab countries and how Iran would deal with them, Baghaei said the important point was respecting the principle of good-neighborliness in relations with these countries.
He said, as he had noted in response to another question, Arab countries and all countries in the region had experienced the bitter consequences of US military presence and intervention.
British Ambassador Summoned to Iran’s Foreign Ministry Over London’s Allegations
WANA (Oct 01) – Britain’s ambassador to Tehran was summoned to Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday following allegations by the British prime minister over an incident near the Royal Air Force base at Fairford, with Tehran conveying its strong protest against what it described as London’s hostile approach toward Iran. Hugo Shorter, the British […]
Baghaei stressed that all countries in the region should bear in mind that their neighbors were permanent neighbors. He said regional countries, particularly those that had provided their facilities to the United States and Israel for use in attacks against Iran, should seriously reconsider their approach.
Baghaei warned that if Iran faced another attack by the United States and Israel in the future and the territory of these countries was used for such attacks, Iran would respond in a different manner.
Iran Remains NPT Member and Is Aware of Its Commitments
Asked whether the Foreign Ministry intended to use a possible parliamentary plan for Iran to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a diplomatic lever against pressure from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Baghaei said the issue was very serious and was being discussed in Iran’s political and intellectual circles.
He said Iran had been an NPT member since 1970 and, despite being a party that had fully honored its commitments, had been subjected to military attacks in the most severe manner, with its scientists assassinated and its nuclear facilities attacked.
Baghaei said it was a serious question that if a country was to remain a member of the NPT, it should be able to benefit from the advantages of membership and exercise its rights, rather than being constantly subjected to pressure, threats and military attacks.
He said the Foreign Ministry would naturally follow the decisions of the country’s competent institutions, adding that Iran was currently an NPT member and, as long as it remained a member, was aware of its commitments under the treaty.
Rezaei: Iran’s NPT Withdrawal Depends on Washington’s Conduct
WANA (Sep 19) – Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council urged the United States to accept Tehran’s conditions to end the war, saying Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT would depend on Washington’s conduct. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in an interview that U.S. President Donald Trump’s assessments […]
US Withdrawal from Iraq Is Important Step Toward Consolidating National Sovereignty
Regarding the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and its impact on Iraqi sovereignty and regional security arrangements, Baghaei said Iran viewed the development as a very important and positive step toward consolidating Iraq’s sovereignty and national authority.
He also described it as an indication of the US defeat, noting that the consequences of 23 years of occupation and the crimes committed during the US and allied occupation of Iraq had been witnessed over the past two decades. Baghaei said Iran would never forget the crimes committed at Abu Ghraib prison, among other examples.
He added that the crimes committed by ISIS and Takfiri terrorism were also among the consequences of the occupation of Iraq, arguing that foreign occupation created conditions for violence, division and insecurity in countries and that terrorism was one of the biggest beneficiaries of foreign occupation and intervention.
Baghaei expressed hope that the withdrawal would further strengthen relations between Iran and Iraq and help safeguard Iraq’s national sovereignty and independence, which he said was important for every country in the region.
Iran Following Up on Some Taliban Actions in Kabul
Asked about the Taliban’s actions in Afghanistan, including the closure of some cultural and health centers affiliated with Iran and the mistreatment of Afghan Shiites, Baghaei said Iran had also received the reports and considered the issue very important.
He said Iran had raised the matter with relevant officials in Kabul and would continue to pursue it seriously.
Iran Calls for US Accountability Over Iraq War
WANA (Oct 04) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has congratulated the Iraqi people and government on the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign forces from Iraq, describing the development as an important step toward strengthening Iraq’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. In a statement issued on Saturday, October 3, the ministry said the departure […]
Iran Ready to Help Advance Yemen Dialogue
Regarding Iran’s position on developments in Yemen, Baghaei said Tehran’s position was clear and had been stated repeatedly. He said the solution to the Yemen issue was not the continuation or intensification of economic sanctions and that bombing Yemen was not a solution either.
Baghaei said Yemenis had been under economic sanctions and a naval blockade for around 10 to 12 years and had the right, as a nation, to live normally and enjoy the facilities and conditions available to any other country.
He said dialogue based on the roadmap agreed between Yemenis and Saudi Arabia several years ago could provide a logical solution. Baghaei added that Iran had announced its readiness to provide any assistance within its capacity to help advance the process.
Iran’s Seven-Day Plan Was Latest Initiative to Keep Diplomatic Path Open
Asked what steps the Foreign Ministry had taken to prevent an escalation of tensions and keep the diplomatic path open, and whether any new initiative was currently under consideration, Baghaei said Iran’s trip to New York and its use of the annual UN General Assembly as an opportunity had been aimed at this, among other objectives.
He said Iran’s seven-stage, or seven-day, plan was the latest initiative put forward by the Islamic Republic and that the international community had clearly observed the good-faith approach behind Iran’s initiative. Baghaei said it remained to be seen how the other side would respond to Iran’s approach.
He added that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had also said that previous experiences, particularly over the past two years, showed that the US side had in no way been committed to diplomatic approaches and had repeatedly failed to fulfill its commitments, with or without an excuse.
Baghaei said that was why Iran would simultaneously continue to speak of diplomacy while firmly defending the country’s national interests and security. He stressed that Iran’s armed forces remained vigilant, powerful and prepared to repel any hostile action by foreign parties.
Araghchi outlines Iran’s Seven-Day Plan to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz
WANA (Sep 26) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has outlined Iran’s seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, provided that the United States accepts the conditions of the Islamic Republic. Speaking at a stakeout at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, Araghchi said that the seven-day period begins once […]
Iran to Coordinate with Russia, China on Nuclear Issue
Iran will coordinate with Russia and China on developments related to its nuclear issue, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, stressing the importance of Tehran’s relations with the two permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Baghaei said Iran maintained very good relations with Russia and held regular consultations with Moscow both bilaterally and within international organizations, including the UN Security Council and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
He said Iran and Russia shared common positions on many international developments, including opposition to unilateralism and militarism facing the international community.
Regarding what he described as the third imposed war, Baghaei said Russia’s position had been valuable and important, noting that Moscow had condemned the military aggression and that Iran had also witnessed good cooperation from Russia at the UN Security Council.
On the nuclear issue, he said Iran had always consulted with Russia and would coordinate with both Russia and China on any developments, given their influence as two members of the UN Security Council and Iran’s good relations with both countries.
Iran Calls on France to Respect Human Rights Commitments
Baghaei also called on French authorities to respect their human rights commitments in dealing with protests, saying the use of disproportionate violence against demonstrators could not be justified.
Baghaei Calls on France to Respect Human Rights in Dealing with Protesters
WANA (Oct 02) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei condemned the violent handling of protesters by French security forces and called on France to respect fundamental human rights and basic freedoms in dealing with protests by students and workers. Speaking to reporters, Baghaei said those who, as he put it, had made extensive […]
Responding to a question about recent student protests in France and the use of force by French police, Baghaei said Iran was not concerned with France’s claims regarding human rights, but rather with the treatment of protesters.
He said France, regardless of whether it claimed to defend human rights, was obligated as a party to numerous human rights treaties to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of its own people.
Baghaei said reports about the French police’s treatment of demonstrators were highly concerning and called on French authorities to respect their human rights commitments when managing protests and seriously investigate reports of excessive force against protesters.
He also stressed that human rights standards and regulations should be observed, particularly regarding the detention of more than 3,000 people.
Iran Focused on Strengthening Defense Capabilities, Learning from Recent Conflicts
Commenting on U.S. officials’ statements about the possibility of a new round of war and tensions in the region, Baghaei said military forces could not start and end conflicts as easily as they might suggest.
He said past experience had shown that the Islamic Republic of Iran would act firmly and resolutely in defending itself, adding that the world had clearly seen over the past seven months that Iranians would use every means available to repel aggression when their national sovereignty, territorial integrity, dignity and honor were at stake.
Iran Army Spokesman: Range and Speed of All Army Missiles to Be Increased
WANA (Oct 04) – A spokesman for Iran’s Army said the military is working to increase the range and speed of all missiles in its arsenal, adding that future generations of missiles will enter service with enhanced capabilities. Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia said lessons learned from the recent 40-day war had led the Army […]
Baghaei said threats and threatening statements could not influence the Iranian people, adding that Iran was focusing both on strengthening its defense capabilities and on applying the lessons learned from the past year and a half in confronting its adversaries.
U.S. Application of Domestic Laws to Other Countries Violates International Law
Regarding U.S. measures restricting flights connected to Iran and the steps taken by some countries in response, Baghaei said those countries understood that U.S. actions were contrary to international law.
He said no country could apply its domestic laws to other countries, adding that the extraterritorial application of domestic legislation was incompatible with the rules of international law.
Baghaei also said U.S. measures disrupted good-neighborly relations and friendly ties between countries in the region and other countries with which Iran maintained relations. He said the Foreign Ministry, alongside other relevant institutions, was pursuing its responsibilities and holding consultations with various countries on the issue.
Regarding Iraq, Baghaei said flights had resumed as of that day, adding that Iran was also engaged in serious consultations with other countries to prevent the U.S. measures from negatively affecting air travel and communications between Iran and other countries.
Iran Fully Prepared to Defend Itself Against Any Potential War
Baghaei said the entire country was prepared to defend itself, describing this not merely as a statement of fact but as a reminder of what the world had witnessed over the previous six or seven months.
Referring to what he described as a series of developments and incidents during the previous week, Baghaei said Israel and some European countries had a long history of what is known as “false flag operations.”
Could the Flydubai Incident Become a New Case Against Iran?
WANA (Sep 30) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and media outlets close to him are seeking to link today’s Flydubai incident to Iran, even though no credible evidence has so far been presented establishing an Iranian role. The effort comes as Netanyahu approaches an election facing the challenge of securing a 61-seat majority, […]
He said British accusations against Iran fell within the same framework, arguing that Iran had been accused, based on claims that could not be verified, of involvement in planning an operation whose own circumstances were questionable.
Baghaei referred to RAF Fairford, which he said had been used by the United States to attack Iran, as well as a Flydubai flight, saying the circumstances surrounding those cases were so poorly designed to create a sense of insecurity and level accusations against Iran or other actors that, in his words, even preschool children could recognize them.
He argued that when these developments were considered together, they suggested that Israel and its supporters in Europe and the United States were seeking to push the issue of Palestine and Gaza, which he described as the most important international issue, as well as what he called the clear U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran, to the margins.
According to Baghaei, the objective was to create the impression that a new threat from Iran was facing the region or the international community. He described this as an outdated and repeated tactic and called on the media to shed light on such developments and prevent repeated “false flag operations” from creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity at the regional and international levels.
Unlikely Grossi Would Change His Approach
Responding to remarks by Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a candidate for UN secretary-general, that he would act independently and in accordance with the UN Charter if elected, Baghaei expressed doubts that such a change would take place.
Baghaei said Grossi’s comments about acting independently might reflect an assessment of his own conduct during his tenure as IAEA director general, arguing that Grossi was aware that he had not always acted independently in the past.
He said Grossi also knew that the international community expected anyone serving as UN secretary-general to act independently. Baghaei concluded that, given Grossi’s previous approach, it was unlikely that such a change would occur.
