WANA (May 20) – Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided a report on the latest status of the exchange of messages between Iran and the United States during a television interview on Wednesday evening, May 20.

 

Regarding the status of negotiations with America, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “The exchange of messages is ongoing between the two sides through the Pakistani attaché. Based on Iran’s initial 14-point text, the exchange of messages has taken place several times.”

 

The Reason for the Pakistani Interior Minister’s Re-visit to Tehran

Pointing out that we have received the viewpoints of the American side and are currently reviewing them, Baghaei said: “The presence of the Pakistani Interior Minister is to facilitate this exchange of messages. Many times, mediating parties prefer to be personally present along with the texts being exchanged to help; if a clarification is needed somewhere, or if it is necessary to contact either party to clarify certain points, they perform this task. Therefore, attribute this to the continuation of Pakistan’s efforts and endeavors as the mediator of the talks.”

 

We Cannot Have the Slightest Trust or Goodwill Toward the Opposing Side

In response to the question regarding which areas and under which sub-chapters of the topics raised in our proposed negotiating frameworks these changes are occurring if modifications are taking place, Baghaei said:

 

“At this stage, we are focused on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. Our demands are clear; issues related to the release of Iran’s frozen assets, topics related to maritime piracy, and the disruptive actions they carry out against the shipping of the Islamic Republic of China—these are matters that have been stated very clearly from the beginning.”

 

He emphasized: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has entered this process with complete good faith and seriousness. The opposing side must prove its seriousness. We look at the opposing side with severe suspicion and completely based on our inherent right, due to their very bad track record over the past year and a half. But at the same time, we pursue the matters with all our might and complete good faith. Simultaneously, our eyes are open, our armed forces are vigilant, because we absolutely cannot have the slightest trust or goodwill toward the opposing side.”

 

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “If this process moves forward based on Iran’s rightful demands, we can say that diplomacy has succeeded. Otherwise, if the opposing side continues to insist on its excessive and illegitimate demands, we will naturally achieve no success. For this reason, as various officials of the country have also announced, including the honorable head of the negotiating team, Dr. Ghalibaf, we must always be prepared for any scenario; while at the same time, we must make maximum use of diplomacy as a continuation of the Iranian people’s struggle to realize their rights and national interests.”

 

Speaking of a Deadline for Iran is Ridiculous

Regarding claims made about the setting of an ultimatum by the United States, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said: “For the Islamic Republic of Iran, speaking of an ultimatum and a deadline is ridiculous. The Islamic Republic of Iran has shown that it advances its work in pursuing its interests, regardless of these threatening behaviors, pressures, and all kinds of threats they have carried out. We are focused on pursuing our interests and our rights, paying no attention to threatening rhetoric. Therefore, such things are definitely ineffective regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran. We do our own work.”

 

The Blockade Must Be Completely Lifted

Regarding the issue of the blockade and its pursuit in the negotiations, Baghaei also said: “This issue is very important. The US action is 100% illegal, contrary to international law, and a violation of the ceasefire. More importantly, the most significant factor disrupting free trade and international navigation is precisely these US actions, which have not only affected the situation in our region—the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz—but have also caused disruptions in the supply chain of goods, energy, and fuel in various parts of the world.”

 

“Therefore, the international community must make this demand of the United States to end its maritime piracy and illegal actions in open waters. This issue is one of the matters that is definitely considered by the Iranian side in every dialogue and in every exchange of messages, Baghaei said.”

 

He added: “Naturally, the illegal action—an action that is considered both a violation of the ceasefire and a gross violation of the relevant United Nations resolutions—must certainly be completely lifted.”

 

We Will Not Allow the Misuse of International Waterways Against Iran’s Security

Regarding the view of this institution on the mechanisms of the Strait of Hormuz after the war, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “This issue is very clear. Look, first of all, you cannot separate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the executor of directives issued by the relevant institutions and bodies in the field of diplomacy and foreign policy.

 

He added, “Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is completely serious and believes that to secure Iran’s national interests, we must regulate and formulate mechanisms, with the help of Oman and in coordination with competent specialized international institutions, to ensure that Iran’s security and national interests are never assaulted or threatened by aggressive parties misusing the Strait of Hormuz. Also, ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains a passage for the safe transit of international shipping. We have always been the guardians and watchmen of safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and we continue to recognize this responsibility toward it.”

 

He emphasized: “For this to happen, it is certainly necessary to draft protocols and mechanisms that satisfy both Iran’s security interests and concerns and the safe transit of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Naturally, this mechanism must take place in coordination with the coastal states—which are specifically Iran and Oman. Any mechanism must also factor in the costs arising from shipping safety, environmental issues, and all such matters.”

 

Baghaei said: “The environment of the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz has, unfortunately, been severely damaged over these past two to three decades due to the wars imposed by the US and its allies against the region. These are not only a concern for the countries of the region, but environmental issues are a concern for the entire international community, and Iran considers it its duty, as a coastal state, to take this issue into account in any mechanism.”

 

The New York Meeting on China’s Initiative

Esmaeil Baghaei explained regarding the potential trip of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to New York to participate in the consultative meeting initiated by China: “I was surprised by the strange atmosphere created in the media regarding a normal diplomatic trip. Such a trip is a routine measure in diplomatic activities.”

 

Baghaei continued: “This trip to New York will probably take place, and it is also possible that it will not take place. Because it is not yet finalized. The reason for this is that visas must be obtained, and at the same time, we might have other priorities. But in any case, the preliminary work is being carried out.”

 

Regarding the agenda of this meeting, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained: “It is a conventional meeting arranged by the Chinese as the rotating president of the Security Council in May; its topic is also the strengthening of international peace and security based on the principles of the UN Charter.”

 

Baghaei emphasized: “This meeting is scheduled to be held at the level of foreign ministers of member states on China’s initiative, at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister, in the middle of next week, and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been invited to participate in this meeting. The preliminary work has been planned for some time to participate in this summit. If things are done and no other priority arises, Dr. Araghchi will participate.”

 

Regarding China’s motivation for forming this meeting, he also explained: “Each country among the 15 members of the Security Council that becomes the rotating president of the Security Council for a period of one month usually proposes initiatives. For China, as a permanent member of the Security Council that has always had concerns regarding multilateralism and opposition to unilateralism by the United States and some other countries, holding these meetings is important. Therefore, they also proposed this initiative.”

 

Baghaei stated: “The agenda of the meeting is very clear: strengthening security and peace at the international level based on the principles of the UN Charter. The events that occurred in these past one or two years were a gross violation of the fundamental principles and rules of international law and the UN Charter. If we consider the recent imposed war, it was a gross violation of Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter; international humanitarian law was violated. The incident of the attack on our Shajareh Tayyibeh school was a very clear example of the criminal actions of the United States and the Zionist regime.”

 

He said, “These matters have worried the whole world, and naturally, for countries to express their concern in this regard and to brainstorm to prevent the continuation of these violations, one of the mechanisms is precisely holding these meetings at the level of the United Nations Security Council. Therefore, the topic is clear, the inviter is clear; it is a very conventional meeting that member states of the United Nations Security Council arrange from time to time or during their presidency over the Security Council, and other countries also participate.”