WANA (Mar 05) – In an exclusive interview, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed the surging regional tensions, characterizing the current conflict as an “existential war” forced upon Iran despite its efforts to de-escalate.

 

Interim Leadership and Nuclear Allegations

Baghaei confirmed that Iran’s Temporary Leadership Council will continue to manage state affairs until a new leader is officially selected.

 

Addressing recent claims by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff—who alleged Iran was only days away from a nuclear weapon—Baghaei dismissed the statements as a “big lie.” He maintained that Iran has consistently met its safeguards obligations, with all enrichment activities conducted under the strict supervision of IAEA inspectors.

 

“After the 12-day war, the Americans claimed they had destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” Baghaei noted. “Yet today, they claim we are one week away from a weapon. They move the goalposts whenever it suits their narrative.”

Third Meeting of Iran’s Interim Leadership Council Held

Third Meeting of Iran’s Interim Leadership Council Held on March 03, 2026. Social media/ WANA News Agency

The “Genocide” in Minab

The spokesperson leveled heavy criticism at Washington and Tel Aviv following an attack on a girls’ high school in Minab, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 185 individuals. Baghaei labeled the strike a clear instance of genocide.

 

“What threat did these students pose to America or Israel?” he asked, calling on the American public to question how their tax dollars are being utilised by their government.

 

Retaliation and Regional Sovereignty

Baghaei defended Iran’s right to strike U.S. military positions in neighboring countries, citing international law.

 

Misuse of Territory: He accused the U.S. of “exploiting the territory of our Arab friends” to launch strikes against Iran.

Right to Self-Defense: “It is not we who went to the Gulf of Mexico to attack Los Angeles,” Baghaei remarked. “They came here and attacked our schools, cities, and capital.”

Proportionality: He emphasized that while Iran targets the bases used for these strikes, it exercises “maximum caution” to ensure no harm comes to civilians.

A view of debris following an Israeli and U.S. strike on Gandhi Hotel Hospital, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The Collapse of Diplomacy

Regarding the possibility of negotiations, Baghaei stated that Iran had been engaging in serious talks via neutral mediators, such as the Omani Foreign Minister. However, he stated that the diplomatic path was shattered by repeated aggression.

 

“We were in the middle of negotiations, yet Iran was attacked twice in less than a year,” he said, referencing the strikes on February 28. “Every government not only has the right but the duty to defend its citizens. Iran has never been the aggressor, but we will not stand by while our people are targeted.”

 

The spokesperson concluded by stating that Tehran has spent the last two years attempting to remove every pretext for war, only for the U.S. and Israel to manufacture new justifications for continued hostility.