Iran will never seek permission to defend its integrity, sovereignty: Foreign Ministry spokesman

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has asserted the country’s right to defend its territorial integrity and national sovereignty, reiterating Tehran’s resolve to give a proper response to Israel’s latest act of aggression.

“We have said many times that we will not seek permission from anyone to defend Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, and we will give the necessary response to the aggression committed [by Israel] against Iran,” Baghaei said at his weekly press conference on Monday.

On October 26, Israeli warplanes used US-controlled airspace over Iraq to fire projectiles at military installations in Iran’s Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces in a flagrant breach of the country’s national sovereignty. The strikes killed four servicemen of the Armed Forces and one civilian.

Iran has said it is resolved to respond to the act of aggression and will not abandon its right.

Iran will respond to Israel’s unlawful threats

Baghaei said the Israeli regime’s threats against Iran are in violation of international law, adding that Tehran will give an appropriate response to them in its own way.

Pointing to talks last week between Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi and top Iranian officials in Tehran, he noted that the sides discussed ambiguities around the nuclear program of Iran, as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran says ball in EU/E3 court, will negotiate based on ‘inalienable rights’ but not under pressure

The Iranian foreign minister says Tehran is keen to hold nuclear negotiations with the three European parties to the JCPOA based on its interests and rights but not under pressure.

The Iranian spokesperson emphasized that the talks were held although such ambiguities lack technical and precise bases.

He said Grossi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi underlined Tehran’s positive approach to issues pertaining to Iran and the UN nuclear agency.

“Our effort is aimed to allow the agency to continue its work free from destructive and malicious pressure from some parties,” he said.

'Impunity, US obstruction emboldened Israel to continue vicious acts'

Baghaei also said Israel’s impunity and the US acts of obstruction have emboldened the occupying regime to continue its vicious acts and expand the scope of its international crimes.

He added that the Tel Aviv regime continued to commit heinous crimes, genocide and war crimes against the people of Palestine and Lebanon over the past year as the US caused obstruction in the way of implementing justice at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

He emphasized that causing obstruction in the way of implementing justice is tantamount to complicity in crimes.

Some countries disrupted the arrest of Israeli officials and there are also some cases exposing that justice has not been applied in dealing with the regime, the Iranian spokesman said, calling on the international community to pay heed to these issues.

Iran firmly supports Syria, Lebanon

Baghaei further said a recent visit by Ali Larijani, an advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, to Syria and Lebanon showed that Iran is using its utmost capacities to promote diplomatic goals.

The visit conveyed the message that Iran will continue to strongly support Syria and Lebanon in the face of the Israeli regime’s acts of aggression, he added.

He reiterated Iran’s policy of improving its relations with countries based on the principles of dignity, wisdom and national interests and security as well as the interests of the region.

Iran, China enjoy consolidated relations

The Iranian spokesman said his country has consolidated relations with China, noting that both sides are determined to use all capacities to deepen their ties and cooperation.

Iran and China are seriously pursuing the roadmap for long-term cooperation and are making efforts to use their utmost capacities in this regard, Baghaei noted.

In a meeting with China’s Ambassador to Tehran Cong Peiwu on Sunday, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei said the election of Donald Trump as US president for a second term will have no impact on Iran’s foreign policy, particularly its ties with China.

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