TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Bacaei addressed a wide range of domestic, regional and international issues at a press conference on Monday morning, highlighting Iran’s approach to diplomacy, regional stability and international law.
“Iran is ready for talks whenever the necessary conditions are met.”
Commenting on the prospects for negotiations with the United States, Bakkai said that Iran is always ready for dialogue if the necessary conditions exist and such dialogue is in its national interest. He stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not rely on any single negotiating line, saying diplomacy is a continuous and evolving process guided by Iran’s national priorities.
Regarding contacts with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he reaffirmed that Iran’s cooperation is based on laws passed by Iran’s parliament and coordinated with the Supreme Council of National Security. Routine technical exchanges, such as refueling the Bushehr nuclear power plant, will continue within this framework.
In late August, Britain, France and Germany activated the so-called snapback mechanism at the United Nations, effectively reimposing sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. The Iranian government rejected the move as illegal, citing the US withdrawal from the deal and the subsequent failure of Europe to honor its commitments as the root cause of the current conflict.
Efforts by Russia and China to secure additional diplomatic time at the UN Security Council in September failed, paving the way for Western pressure. On September 29, the European Council announced that sanctions previously lifted under the 2015 agreement were reinstated.
Further complicating matters, Israel launched a major military offensive against Iran on June 13, targeting nuclear scientists, senior military officials, and civilians. The United States then bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities, disrupting indirect talks between Iran and the United States over Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
“The region is currently witnessing a violation of the Gaza ceasefire by Israel.”
Touching on the situation in Palestine, Baquai said the region is currently witnessing violations of a ceasefire aimed at preventing further killings in Gaza and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. He condemned these violations and argued that they increase the liability of ceasefire guarantors.
He described the Zionist regime as “an absolute evil in the region” and warned that it would continue to commit crimes as long as Israel believes it will not be held accountable by the international community. Mr. Bakuayi also criticized the U.S. response to international legal judgments against Israel, claiming these are evidence of U.S. complicity in the regime’s actions.
Israel has repeatedly violated US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan since it took effect on October 10, killing about 100 Palestinians.
The total number of Palestinian deaths since October 7, 2023 now exceeds 68,500, according to local health authorities. Suffering continues unabated on the ground.
“International law must not be undermined by political pressure.”
Mr. Bakuayi emphasized that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are important institutions for resolving disputes within the United Nations system. He noted that the ICJ’s recent advisory opinion reaffirmed previous judgments that declared Israel’s occupation illegal and identified its actions in Gaza as gross human rights violations.
He announced that Iran has begun legal documentation of the United States and Israel’s acts of aggression against the country. The process, jointly led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice and the President’s Ministry of Justice, has already secured the condemnation of these acts by the 120 countries of the Non-Aligned Movement during the Uganda Summit.
“Accusations of anti-Semitism planned by Israel to damage Iran-Australia relations”
Regarding Australia’s recent allegations against Iran, Foreign Minister Bakaei reiterated that the accusations are baseless and designed by Israeli institutions with the aim of damaging Iran-Australia relations.
He welcomed Australia’s subsequent clarification that there was no evidence of Iranian interference, saying this confirmed Iran’s position from the beginning. He called on Australia to maintain independent foreign policy making.
A formal government investigation in Australia’s New South Wales state has completely exonerated the Islamic Republic of Iran of any involvement in a series of “anti-Semitic attacks” and exposed the baseless nature of the accusations that led to Canberra’s expulsion of Iran’s ambassador in August.
The findings, announced during a parliamentary question and answer session, related to NSW Police’s Strike Force Pearl, which investigated 14 serious attacks on Jewish property and premises. In a clear and unequivocal response to questioning, police said they “do not have any information” relating to Iran or its operatives who carried out the incident.
In August, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave Iran’s ambassador seven days to leave the country, saying Australian intelligence had linked Iran to the Sydney cafe arson attack in October last year and the Melbourne synagogue arson attack in December. He provided no evidence for his claims.
“Preparation is about caution, not fear.”
Regarding the possibility of U.S. military action, Bakkai acknowledged that the risk of invasion is always present, but stressed that Iran’s preparations reflect caution, not fear. He said Iranian forces remain on full alert and have learned from past experience that Israeli statements and assurances cannot be trusted.
He also noted National Security Advisor-level talks with Iraq and noted progress in implementing the bilateral security agreement signed earlier this year. He said both sides are committed to fulfilling their obligations to ensure border security and stability.
“Iranian detained in France released under supervision”
Baquai confirmed that Iranian national Mahdiye Esfandiari has been released on supervised release and is currently awaiting his next court hearing outside prison. He reiterated that her detention was unjust and that Iran continues to seek her full release through diplomatic channels.