Iran Denounces Israeli Allegations, Registers Trump’s Admission at UN
WANA (Nov 10) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei dismissed Israel’s claim that Iran plotted to assassinate the Israeli ambassador in Mexico as “baseless and absurd,” saying the allegation was part of Tel Aviv’s ongoing efforts to damage Iran’s friendly relations with other countries.
Speaking at his weekly press conference, Baghaei said: “As our embassy stated, this claim was so ridiculous that it hardly warranted an official response. Similar false allegations were made in Australia, where local police later confirmed Iran had no connection to incidents against Jewish targets.” He added that Mexico’s Foreign Ministry and intelligence agencies had also denied the existence of any such plot, calling the entire story a fabrication aimed at punishing Mexican public opinion for condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Trump’s Admission Registered as Evidence at UN
Baghaei also said Iran had formally submitted U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent admission (regarding direct involvement in attacking Iran) to the UN Security Council as evidence of Washington’s involvement in an “international crime.” He noted that Trump’s statement contradicted the earlier claim by the U.S. Secretary of State, who denied American involvement and blamed Israel alone.
Iran Condemns Trump’s Admission of U.S. Role in Israeli Aggression
WANA (Nov 08) – Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has condemned US President Donald Trump’s recent admission regarding the United States’ involvement in the Israeli regime’s aggression against Iran. In his letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the UN Security Council Michael […]
“This explicit confession establishes the full responsibility of the U.S. government,” Baghaei stated, emphasizing that Iran is documenting the joint military aggression by the U.S. and Israel and pursuing all legal avenues to seek justice and reparations in cooperation with the Presidential Legal Department and the Judiciary.
Iran’s Nuclear File at IAEA Board Meeting “Not Unusual”
Commenting on the upcoming IAEA Board of Governors meeting, Baghaei said it was “not unusual” for Iran’s nuclear file to be discussed, as the board routinely reviews technical matters. He warned, however, that the U.S. and three European countries may attempt to mirror their recent efforts at the UN Security Council to restore canceled sanctions. “Our mission in Vienna is in close contact with other member states to safeguard Iran’s interests,” he noted.
Tehran to Host International Conference on Aggression and Defense
Baghaei announced that Tehran will host an international conference titled “International Law Under Attack: Aggression and Defense” on Sunday, organized by the Foreign Ministry’s Center for Political and International Studies. Experts from various countries will attend.
He said the event aims to draw global attention to “the military aggression of the U.S. and Israel against Iran,” emphasizing that their actions threaten “the entire international legal order established over the past eight decades.”
Qalibaf: Trump’s Admission Violates the UN Charter and Iran’s Sovereignty
WANA (Nov 09) – Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, has condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks acknowledging “direct responsibility” for an attack on Iran, calling the statement a clear violation of the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law. Qalibaf said, “This act constitutes an explicit breach of Iran’s national […]
NATO Chief’s Remarks a “Baseless Deflection”
In response to a question about U.S. President’s claim that Iran had asked Washington to lift sanctions, as well as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s allegation that Iran and Russia were working together to undermine global norms, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said there was “no doubt that the Islamic Republic of Iran is recognized as a credible and resolute power in defending its national security and regional peace.”
He added that NATO members “habitually accuse others of actions they themselves commit,” stressing that a simple review of facts shows who has truly violated international law and the UN Charter — Iran or NATO countries.
Baghaei said this pattern “is not new” and has persisted “since the occupation of Afghanistan and the crimes committed there.” He noted that in the past year, “the United States and some other NATO members have repeatedly broken international law, turning this behavior into a recurring pattern.”
“As the most influential member of NATO, the United States has itself become a major disruptor of international peace and security,” Baghaei continued, describing the NATO chief’s remarks as “nothing but a shameless deflection and false accusation against Iran — a country that has been the victim of unlawful actions by the U.S. and several of its allies within NATO.”
Lifting Sanctions Is Iran’s Legitimate Right
Addressing remarks by the U.S. President about Iran’s sanctions relief, Baghaei said, “The removal of sanctions is a legitimate demand of the Iranian people, not a favor from the United States.”
He added that decades of unjust sanctions have harmed every Iranian and constitute “a crime against humanity.” Iran, he stressed, has always made clear that lifting sanctions remains a fundamental condition in any dialogue with Western countries to rebuild trust over the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.
Iran Publishes Human Rights Reports on U.S. and U.K.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the annual reports documenting human rights violations in the United States and the United Kingdom are prepared under a parliamentary mandate and aim to expose the double standards of those countries that “weaponize human rights to pressure independent nations.”
He added that compiling such reports is “educational for both domestic and international public opinion” and serves as reliable documentation at the United Nations Human Rights Council and other international bodies.
“These documents are shared through Iran’s missions in Geneva and New York and help reveal the hypocrisy of countries that claim to defend human rights while violating them at home,” Baghaei said.
U.S. Sanctions Against Iranians Are Crimes Against Humanity
WANA (Nov 07) – The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Baghaei, denounced U.S. sanctions for their impact on patients suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), known as “butterfly children,” describing such measures as “a clear example of crimes against humanity.” Baghaei made the remarks Thursday evening at the premiere of the documentary […]
Iran Condemns U.S. Interference in Iraq’s Elections
Responding to a question about recent U.S. sanctions on Iraqi banks and pressure to sideline groups close to Iran, Baghaei said: “Elections in Iraq are a matter of national sovereignty. Any foreign interference is unacceptable and condemned by the Iraqi people, their government, and all responsible states.”
He warned that U.S. meddling has “historically harmed peace and stability in every country it has intervened in,” expressing hope that Iraq’s upcoming elections “will serve the interests of the Iraqi people and strengthen the security and stability of the region.”
London Refuses to Release Iranian Prisoner Despite Clemency
Commenting on a letter by Armenian-Iranian lawmakers to the British government urging the release of an Iranian national imprisoned in the U.K., Baghaei said the detainee — Richard John, an Iranian citizen of Armenian descent — has been incarcerated for over two decades despite receiving a pardon that should have secured his release between 2011 and 2012.
“British authorities have repeatedly refused to free him under various pretexts, and his condition in prison is very poor,” Baghaei said. He added that the individual’s elderly mother lives in Iran and that Tehran has requested his release so he can receive treatment and reunite with his family.
Mahdieh Esfandiari Placed on Prisoner Exchange List
WANA (Oct 21) – The Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs, Parliament, and Iranians Abroad at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the French government’s arrest of Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian citizen, as an act of “hostage-taking,” calling it inconsistent with Paris’s human rights claims. Vahid Jalalzadeh, the Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs, Parliament, and […]
He stressed that the man is not a dual national, has renounced his British citizenship, and remains an Iranian citizen. “Supporting all Iranians abroad, regardless of faith or ethnicity, is a duty for our government,” he added.
Iran to Host First Caspian Coastal Governors’ Conference
Baghaei announced that Iran will host the first meeting of governors from Caspian coastal provinces on November 18–19 in Rasht, following an initiative introduced by Tehran at the Third Caspian Economic Forum and later approved by all littoral states.
The conference will be opened by Iran’s Foreign Minister and Interior Minister and will include delegations from the coastal provinces of all five Caspian countries. Baghaei said the goal is to strengthen regional cooperation and foster direct connections among neighboring provinces to boost economic and cultural exchanges.
“Divisions Within U.S. Military Leadership Exposed”
Asked about a New York Times report claiming that the U.S. Defense Secretary had dismissed or blocked the promotion of over 20 senior officers in recent months, allegedly due to political disagreements — including over policies toward Iran and operations in the Caribbean — Baghaei simply quoted a Quranic verse: “You think they are united, but their hearts are divided.”
U.S. Seeks to Divide Muslims, No Ties Should Be Made With Israel
WANA (Nov 07) – Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said the United States is attempting to divide the Islamic Ummah into two sides — one that should be attacked and occupied, and another that must accept the so-called Abraham Accords and establish relations with Israel. He stressed that no Muslim country should ever allow itself […]
Iran Warns Against Normalizing Ties with Israel
Commenting on Kazakhstan’s reported joining the Abraham Accords, Baghaei said any normalization of relations with Israel only emboldens the regime to continue its war crimes in Gaza and aggression across the region.
He said Kazakhstan has maintained diplomatic ties with Israel for over three decades and that the recent announcement “appears more like a political show to portray Israel as less isolated.” “The U.S. is using such symbolic gestures to distract attention from the ongoing occupation and genocide in Gaza,” he warned, urging countries not to allow the world’s focus to shift away from “the root cause of the regional crisis.”
Tehran and Riyadh Committed to Expanding Cooperation
Baghaei confirmed that relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have progressed positively since normalization began two years ago. He said the recent visit of Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Gharibabadi, to Riyadh was part of this constructive engagement, focusing on bilateral, regional, and international issues.
Other Iranian officials — including the Minister of Health and the Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism — have also attended international events hosted in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating that “relations are being managed well at various levels and the positive trend continues.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. April 17, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Iran Respects Iraq’s Sovereignty and Electoral Process
Responding to remarks by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Baghaei said: “Iraq is our close and important neighbor, fully capable of managing its own relations with all international actors.”
He reiterated that “Iran views Iraq’s elections as a purely domestic matter” and expressed confidence that, regardless of the outcome, the “friendly and brotherly ties between Tehran and Baghdad will remain strong.” “We pray for the Iraqi people to participate successfully in shaping their political future,” he stated.
Iran’s Longstanding Distrust of the U.S. Rooted in Historical Experience
Responding to a question about why Iran “does not take a bold step to close the chapter of past tensions with the United States and reclaim its rightful place in the international arena,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran’s caution toward Washington stems not from short-term tensions but from a long record of experience in dealing with the U.S.
“This is not about living in the past,” he said. “Our view is forward-looking, but it is informed by history. We do not need to go back to 1953 to understand the U.S. approach toward Iran—recent months are enough. The same country that speaks of dialogue has openly taken pride in committing crimes against the Iranian nation.”
From the 1979 Embassy Takeover to the 12-Day War
WANA (Oct 04) – In his recent speech to Israeli military officials, Donald Trump declared: “We are ready whenever the Iranians are ready… our hand is open… they want to make a deal; it would be great if we could make one.” The statement was soon met with a firm response from the Leader of […]
Baghaei noted that Iran was attacked in the midst of a diplomatic process, adding that U.S. President Trump’s own remarks confirmed Washington’s direct involvement in hostile actions previously attributed to Israel.
“America has admitted that it trained for 22 years to attack Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities. This means that even while negotiating, it was preparing to harm our people,” he said.
“In such conditions, when one side seeks to damage the other and has no respect for international law or a rational negotiating framework, the environment for meaningful dialogue simply does not exist,” he added.
Double Standards Shield Israel from Accountability
Commenting on reports that an Italian journalist was dismissed after questioning Israel’s responsibility for rebuilding Gaza, Baghaei said the incident “illustrates the blatant double standards that have granted Israel perpetual impunity.”
“If you make the slightest objection to Israel, you are accused of antisemitism or of supporting terrorism,” he said. “In the Western political lexicon, defending the oppressed Palestinian people has become equivalent to supporting terrorism. This is the very definition of hypocrisy regarding freedom of expression.”
People walk past a billboard with a picture of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a street in Tehran, Iran, September 6, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Baghaei said Western governments that claim to champion human rights “have created an atmosphere in which Israel is immune to any criticism while others are constantly accused and defamed,” calling this the same double-standard policy applied to human rights in Iran.
“The U.S. Lacks Sincerity and Seriousness in Negotiations”
Addressing the U.S. President’s remark that Iran is “a nation of skilled negotiators” who secretly want an agreement, Baghaei said: “The reality is quite the opposite. They say they want an agreement, but their actions show they do not. This is deception. The United States has shown in practice that it has neither goodwill nor seriousness toward negotiations.”
Iran Concerned About Rising Tensions Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
Regarding reports that Iran may mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Baghaei said Tehran is “deeply concerned” about escalating tensions along the eastern borders. “Our concern is not only due to geography, but also because both countries are Muslim neighbors with deep historical, cultural, and religious ties to Iran,” he said. “Any instability there affects the security of the entire region.”
Baghaei noted that the Foreign Minister has already held phone calls with his Afghan and Pakistani counterparts and that Tehran has reaffirmed its readiness to assist in de-escalating the situation. “If both sides agree, Iran will spare no effort to help resolve the issue and prevent further tension,” he said.
Iranian and Afghan Foreign Ministers Hold Telephone Conversation
WANA (Nov 09) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation on Sunday morning with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, to discuss bilateral cooperation, the recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the ongoing dialogue between the two neighboring countries. During the call, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed […]
Australian Embassy Operations in Tehran Continue on a Limited Consular Basis
Asked about the status of Iran’s Embassy in Australia and the Australian Embassy in Tehran, as well as U.S. pressure to disarm Hezbollah and Iraqi resistance groups, Baghaei said Iranian diplomats remain active in Canberra, especially in consular affairs.
He confirmed that the Australian mission in Tehran continues to function through alternative arrangements and with assistance from friendly countries.
Regarding U.S. efforts to disarm resistance movements, Baghaei said: “Defending one’s country against aggression is the right and duty of every nation. In our region, experience has shown that strength is essential for maintaining dignity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We must not allow our adversaries to achieve through deceitful negotiations what they failed to gain on the battlefield.”
Iran Fully Aware of Its Obligations Under the NPT and Safeguards Agreement
Responding to comments by the IAEA Director General about the absence of certain inspectors in Iran, Baghaei said Tehran “remains fully aware of and committed to its obligations” under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its Safeguards Agreement.
Grossi: Iran Could Have Left NPT; I Welcome Tehran’s Decision
WANA (Oct 22) – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran, despite restricting inspections, did not withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) after the 12-day war and has not cut itself off from the international community. He added that the agency is seeking to deepen its relations with Tehran. […]
He noted that IAEA inspectors visited several nuclear sites last week, including the Tehran Research Reactor, and that inspection requests are reviewed in accordance with Iranian law and the Supreme National Security Council’s decisions. “Given the recent acts of aggression by the U.S. and Israel, the Agency must understand that conditions are not normal,” he said.
“Before those attacks, cooperation with the IAEA was proceeding normally. Even afterward, we reached an understanding in Cairo to continue technical cooperation under the new circumstances.”
Baghaei concluded that European countries bear responsibility for disrupting this process: “It is the Europeans who tried to abuse the JCPOA dispute-resolution mechanism to revive annulled Security Council resolutions. Their actions undermined the constructive track we had initiated with the Agency.”
U.S. Military Presence in the Region Breeds Instability
Addressing the renewed U.S. military presence in Damascus, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said: “Any U.S. military presence in regional countries only increases instability and insecurity. In Syria, American forces have primarily served to plunder the assets of the Syrian people and to sustain insecurity. Their presence now serves only the interests of occupiers and the destabilizing policies of the Israeli regime.”
A burned US flag next to an Iranian flag is seen during a rally marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Tehran, Iran, April 14, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Baghaei also criticized UN Security Council sanctions against Syria, saying: “We have consistently opposed sanctions that pressure the Syrian people and deprive them of their basic rights. We welcome any measure that eases sanctions against the Syrian population.”
American Public Opposes U.S. Support for Israel
On the election of a Muslim mayor in New York, Baghaei commented: “While U.S. elections are a domestic matter, they convey meaningful messages. The American public is strongly critical of its government’s policies toward the region, particularly regarding Israel. Ordinary Americans do not support the use of their country’s resources and reputation to shield a regime committing genocide. This reflects a collective protest against bullying and violations of international law.”
Iran Facilitates Cross-Border Economic Engagement
Baghaei explained Iran’s approach to economic diplomacy: “The Foreign Ministry’s role is not to manage domestic economic affairs, but to foster international economic relations. We identify provincial capacities in industry, production, and tourism, and create platforms for cross-border business interactions. Our ambassadors actively facilitate trade and economic cooperation in host countries.”
He cited previous economic forums in Shiraz and Mashhad as examples, where business representatives and ambassadors collaborated to streamline cross-border trade. “We will continue this process rigorously and coordinate with other ministries wherever necessary,” Baghaei added.
U.S. Extends National Emergency Regarding Iran
WANA (Nov 07) – U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the national emergency status regarding Iran for an additional year. The measure, which forms the basis for unilateral U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic, was announced in a statement published on Friday on the Federal Register, the official journal of the U.S. government. According […]
U.S. Officials United in Hostility Toward Iran
Regarding the U.S. government’s annual emergency status against Iran, Baghaei said: “This is not extraordinary; it is a routine practice repeated for over four decades, dating back to 1979. It demonstrates that American officials, regardless of party affiliation, share a consensus in maintaining hostility toward the Iranian nation.”
Diplomatic Talks Require Concrete Action, Not Words
On France’s recent proposal to establish a new negotiation framework with Iran, Baghaei emphasized: “Our diplomatic engagement is not limited to the nuclear issue. The other side’s misuse of the JCPOA dispute-resolution mechanism has caused setbacks, but European diplomatic channels remain open, and embassies are active.”
He stressed that verbal commitments alone are insufficient: “We need to see serious action and goodwill. Words alone cannot advance a negotiation process.”
