TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Bakaei addressed a wide range of domestic, regional and international issues at his weekly press conference on Monday, from the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip and U.S. interference in regional affairs, to Iran’s nuclear policy, water rights and relations with its neighbors and allies.
“Iran’s rights are non-negotiable”
Referring to the possibility of renegotiation with the United States, Bakkai said: “The situation is clear. The rights and interests of the Iranian state must be respected. In any negotiations, we will not unilaterally give up our legitimate rights.”
He stressed that grounds for dialogue can only be established if “realism and mutual respect” emerge. “At the moment we are not at that stage,” he added.
Before going to war with Iran, US President Donald Trump succeeded in getting the country to engage in indirect negotiations over its nuclear program. This was in contrast to the president’s first term, when Tehran rejected such negotiations after withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions against Iran. But the U.S. president started the war just days before the sixth round of negotiations was scheduled to take place in Oman.
“There are no messages from the United States via Oman.”
Foreign Minister Bakkai referred to reports regarding Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Takhqt Ravansi’s visit to Oman, in which the issue of “importing contaminated water” was raised, but he clarified that the issue has been resolved and that he will soon confirm in a statement that there are no problems with the goods.
He denied claims that messages were forwarded from the United States during his visit, saying:
“We in Oman have not received any messages from the United States. Intermediaries may exchange messages, but that does not mean negotiations have begun.”
In an interview with Al Jazeera published on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi also denied claims that he had received messages from the United States.
“The main threat to the region is the Zionist regime.”
Baquai said the region still faces “the big problem of occupation,” adding that despite the so-called ceasefire, massacres in Gaza continue.
“More than 200 people have been martyred since the ceasefire. The guarantors of the ceasefire now have an even greater responsibility,” he said.
He also condemned the ongoing Israeli offensive that killed 270 journalists, calling it an “unprecedented crime” and proof that what is happening in Gaza “is not a war, but a genocide.”
In response to statements by regional officials, Baquai stressed that there is “no doubt among the countries of the region” that the main threat comes from the Zionist regime, adding: “We are in a real state of war with this regime. The genocide in Palestine and the ongoing occupation in Palestine and Syria testify to this reality.”
He echoed Oman’s statement stressing that regional security must be achieved through understanding and cooperation among regional countries, rather than external interference.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate under the Israeli regime’s blockade. The United Nations has announced that more than 16,500 Palestinians in need of specialized medical care remain trapped within the Gaza Strip and unable to leave for treatment.
More than three million years of human life have been lost in Gaza since the genocide began, according to a new study published in The Lancet. The study analyzed the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians between October 2023 and July 2025 and estimated that the lives lost were equivalent to an average of 51 years.
Most of the victims were civilians, with more than 1 million years of their lives being children under the age of 15. The study noted that the numbers are conservative and only count deaths directly from airstrikes and shelling, not from hunger, disease or the collapse of Gaza’s health care system.
“Epstein’s emails reveal the moral corruption of Iran’s enemies”
Bakuayi commented on an email in which Jeffrey Epstein allegedly referred to military pressure on Iran, saying it exposed “the moral decadence of Iran’s enemies.”
“The man who committed the crime of human trafficking symbolizes the corruption of those who preach human rights to others,” he said.
“U.S. actions against Venezuela violate international law.”
Mr. Bacaei strongly condemned the United States’ actions against Venezuela, calling them a “violation of international peace and security” and contrary to the United Nations Charter.
He said Iran “rejects threats against Venezuela’s sovereignty” and warned that such actions “set a dangerous precedent.”
The U.S. military expansion in the Caribbean and waters near Venezuela began in August and included 6,000 personnel, several destroyers, anti-submarine aircraft, battleships, nuclear submarines, and a squadron of F-35s.
“Iran will continue to cooperate within the NPT.”
Asked about IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi’s statement that Iran is not developing, pursuing or producing a nuclear bomb, Bakkai said: “The Director-General has simply stated the obvious. The IAEA should refrain from repeating baseless claims.”
He reaffirmed that Iran continues to cooperate within the framework of the NPT and safeguards, adding that certain inspections such as Bushehr and the Tehran research reactor continue for important purposes.
The 12-day war has targeted numerous civilian and military facilities and killed at least 1,065 Iranians, but US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said the main objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, this claim contradicted reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has repeatedly stated that Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons.
“Foreign Ministry defends Iranian nationals abroad”
Baquai confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with the family of Iranian citizen Ahmad Reza Beyzai, who is being held in Turkey.
“Whenever Iranians face problems abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows up. This is part of our obligation to protect our people.”
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi highlighted the Ministry’s continued efforts to secure Mr. Beyzai’s release, stressing that all available diplomatic channels and means are being utilized.
“Lebanon has every right to protect its dignity.”
Bakuai condemned Israeli violations in Lebanon, saying more than 5,000 violations had occurred since the ceasefire.
“Lebanon has every right to protect its sovereignty and dignity,” he said.
Despite a ceasefire in place since November 2024, tensions have risen in recent weeks along the Lebanese-Israel border, with Tel Aviv intensifying airstrikes on southern towns.
He also rejected US threats against Iraq, calling it interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, especially during elections. “These threats will not affect the will of the Iraqi people,” he said.
“Iran urges Afghanistan to keep its promise on Hilmand water”
Regarding water rights in the Hilmand (Helmand) River, Baqai expressed dissatisfaction with Afghanistan’s performance, but said progress would be made through consultations and the upcoming Joint Water Committee.
He also confirmed the opening of Sarma Dam and hoped that water would reach Iran’s Doosti Dam soon.
The Hilmand River, shared by Iran and Afghanistan, is an important water source for the region. Iran insists on honoring prior agreements on water rights, and the equitable distribution of water has been a long-standing issue.
A treaty addressing water sharing was drafted in 1939, but Afghanistan did not ratify it, prolonging the conflict. In 1973, the two countries agreed to allow Afghanistan to flow 26 cubic meters per second (equivalent to 820 million cubic meters per year) into Iran. However, due to political changes, including the 1973 coup in Afghanistan, this agreement was not fully implemented.
Efforts to resolve the issue continued with a 2003 bilateral agreement, but Afghanistan repeatedly failed to honor the terms of the agreement. This has exacerbated the situation, with Iran struggling to secure its rightful share of water.