TEHRAN – Esmaille Bakaei, a spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Iran “will never ask for negotiations,” emphasizing that any dialogue must serve the nation’s national interests and protect its dignity.
At his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Baqaei tackles a wide range of issues, from the latest developments surrounding the JCPOA to Iran’s New York diplomatic efforts in New York to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and regional relations.
In response to reports of events in New York, Fukaray said it was “a two-way process based on an assessment of mutual benefits,” adding that “protecting national interests is just as important as protecting national authorities.”
He explained that before the Iranian delegation left New York, IAEA Director Rafael Grossi proposed a joint meeting involving the US to prevent further escalation of sanctions. “We were against that idea and showed no good intentions,” said Bakaei. “However, other parties were not prepared. On three separate occasions, when such a meeting was proposed, it was them who avoided it.
Bakaei commented on Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut’s remarks about Iran’s proposal in New York, saying the Iranian delegation has made every effort to stop illegal moves by three European countries.
“Iran went to New York with the initiative. The Europeans accepted our proposal three times, but apparently they didn’t convince the US side,” he said.
“This proves that the new US administration’s announcement on the recovery of sanctions has become a directive to guide Europeans who ignored all of our proposals.”
He added that Iran made every reasonable effort towards a logical solution, but “the other side has no will or ability to reach it.”
“The state should refrain from adjusting with sanctions.”
Baqaei described its consistency with Türkiye’s reported snapback sanctions as “unnecessary and illegal.”
“Our request for friendly countries is to refrain from contributing to the impact of illegal decisions,” he said, noting that the entities designated under the sanctions do not hold assets in Turkey.
He also confirmed that Iran’s atomic energy organization has said “the account has not been frozen.”
“Europe has abused the JCPOA mechanism.”
Baqaei condemned the three European countries of “irresponsible and destructive behavior” and said it “abused the so-called snapback mechanism” under the JCPOA.
He said that Europeans misused the dispute resolution process, which set “three illogical conditions” “to impose our demands.”
Nevertheless, Iran has decided to cooperate with the IAEA “within the framework of its protection obligations.”
He explained that Tehran and the IAEA have reached an understanding to establish a new framework for cooperation. This was initially welcomed by both institutions and Europeans.
He added that Europeans ultimately demanded Iran interact directly with the US.
“The IAEA report paved the way for Western misuse.”
The idiot rays have criticized the IAEA for “creating an opening” that allows Western countries to abuse the situation, although Iran has held the US and Zionist regimes responsible for attacks on nuclear facilities.
“The agency should have denounced the Zionist regime and the United States for such actions,” he said. “We hope that recent developments will serve as lessons for all stakeholders, including the IAEA, to exercise greater accuracy.”
Referring to a meeting with Araguchi’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Bakaei said Tehran had presented a detailed legal argument that proved the illegality of European movements.
“At least two permanent Security Council members opposed,” he said. “It shows that there is no consensus.”
He stressed that European lawsuits “sufficiently pose legal obligations to other countries,” and urged the states to “restrain them from following illegal decisions.”
“We have no plans for a meeting with Europe.”
The idiot ray dismissed the claim that diplomatic channels remain open, saying, “There are currently no plans for negotiations with Europe. It focuses on assessing the impact and consequences of illegal activities and US actions.”
Bakaei said Tehran will file formal complaints against three European provinces.
“Their actions are lacking justification even by the standards of the six Security Council members who refused to support them,” he said.
“Iran was fully compliant with the JCPOA until 2019, simply reducing its commitment in response to US withdrawal and European violations. It had no legal status to invoke a dispute resolution mechanism.”
He also criticized Washington for “branding about criminal conduct,” saying this “just increases America’s legal negligence.”
“There are no aggressive IAEA tests in Iran.”
Asked about the IAEA testing, Baqaei said, “Currently, there are no active testing in Iran. The last one was about 10 days ago at the Bucher Nuclear Power Plant under an agreement with Russia.”
He added that future measures will be decided by the highest national security council.
“Efforts to release detainees in France”
Regarding the detention of Iranian national Madie Esfandiari in France, Fukaei said: “Her arrest is illegal and no justification has been presented.”
He confirmed that the Iranian ambassador in Paris has met her three times and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to pursue the lawsuit, along with efforts regarding the two French citizens detained in Iran.
“The future of Syria lies with those people.”
Reaffirming Iran’s position in Syria, Fukaei said: “The integrity and unity of Syrian territory must be respected. Its future must be determined by its own people, not by foreign interference.”