Baghaei’s Statement in the Weekly Briefing
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Baghaei, during his weekly press briefing on Monday, declared that Iran will not allow the end of the war to be decided based on the aggressor’s terms. He stressed that Iran did not start the war and will respond to U.S. coercive actions and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Iran’s Position in Regional Relations
Baghaei noted that Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will arrive in Tehran today, and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi will come tomorrow for talks on bilateral ties and maritime security. He said these visits have no connection to the war and are merely time-coincident.
Response to Sanctions and Blockade
Baghaei described U.S. sanctions and the Strait blockade as an "explicit act of aggression" and warned that any escalation would have serious consequences. He said Iran will use all multilateral capacities to counter these sanctions.
Diplomatic Affairs and Embassies
Regarding the closure of the Chilean embassy, Baghaei said it was a cost-saving measure and did not sever diplomatic ties. He also mentioned that the French embassy expelled an Iranian cultural advisor, calling the action illegal.
Humanitarian and Legal Issues
Baghaei said the Iranian embassy met with four Iranian citizens in Kuwait and hopes for their swift release. He also noted that the status of Iranian pilots in Qatar remains unresolved, and Iran’s demands are still pending.
Views on War and Regional Policies
Baghaei emphasized that Iran never started the war and has made efforts to prevent conflict over the past eighteen months. He cited the 2015 JCPOA, the June 18 ceasefire agreement, and the Islamabad understanding as examples of broken commitments.
Conclusion
Baghaei concluded that Iran will not accept any form of appeasement and that responsibility lies entirely with the opposing side. He reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to confront any aggressive measures.
