Baqaei: We conveyed our considerations and concerns to Grossi

According to Ashura News, Mehr News Agency, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Bagaei said in his first press conference of the new year, while congratulating the New Year: "We carried out our activities without exaggeration during Nowruz without any closure."

Regarding the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza and the measures of the Foreign Ministry to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime, he continued: "The media reported on this better than I did. We are facing a catastrophic situation. Human rights and the principles of the United Nations Charter have been subjected to various forms of disrespect and violation during these two years, and even attacks have been carried out on aid workers. Fifteen aid workers were raped, which is just one example and has been made clear to the world's public opinion. The crimes in Rafah and the West Bank leave no doubt that they are being carried out with the support of the United States. We are facing a process of normalizing evil in the region.

The criminal leaders of Israel should not be able to freely appear in Europe

Bagaei said: The criminal leaders of Israel should not be able to freely appear in Europe. Unfortunately, our region has faced a serious threat to peace and security in these two years, the consequences of which were not and are not only related to our region. We urge the Security Council to fulfill its duties.

We conveyed our considerations and concerns to Grossi

In response to Mehr’s question that during the call between Araqchi and Grossi, Iran’s agreement in principle to his request to travel to Iran was announced. First, please tell us more about the content of this call and second, when Grossi’s trip will take place, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: “In this call, considering the developments of the same days and the developments that are ongoing, we expressed our concerns and considerations to the Director General, announced our expectations, and reminded the Agency of the duties it has towards member states. An agreement in principle was reached regarding the trip, and consultations are continuing regarding the details and plans of the trip, and the time will be announced when it is finalized.”

Baghaei added: This interaction is taking place in line with the natural cooperation between Iran and the Agency, which includes cooperation to resolve several remaining safeguards issues. We expect the Agency to fulfill its duty in view of the continued threats against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel. The Agency is obliged to take a position and condemn such threats based on Resolution 533 and other rules of international law. These issues will be discussed during Grossi's visit.

Oman will be one of the main candidates for indirect Iran-US negotiations

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added about indirect negotiations with the United States and the other side's response to Iran's position: No, the history of other parties' participation in advancing indirect negotiations is clear. In some cases, this role was played by the European Union's foreign policy officer, and in recent years and before that, Oman has played this role well. If such a trend develops, Oman will be one of the main candidates for this task.

Regarding the threats of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, he stated: "Reuters has a consistent pattern in news production that is based on an imaginary informed authority. A country's military readiness and readiness to defend its sovereignty is a natural thing. Iranian forces maintain their capabilities in light of past bitter experiences and the courage and bravery they have previously shown. There is no need to cite an informed authority. Regarding our neighbors, we believe that the security of our neighbors and the region is an integral part of Iran's national security. We have never been part of a coalition to destroy our neighbors."

Baghaei continued: "We use every opportunity to draw the attention of our neighbors to the consequences of arson by third parties, and we believe that fire is contagious. We believe that our neighbors are careful not to let divisions destroy their relations."

Crimes in Gaza cannot be described by any standard

Regarding the results of the expert discussion between Iran and three European countries, Beqai stated: "It is an issue as complex as the issue of lifting sanctions on the one hand and our nuclear issue on the other. The Agency is using all the necessary capacities to inspect and ensure the peacefulness of our nuclear program, but on the other hand, bills have been imposed against Iran that require expert work. In this meeting, the discussion on how to lift nuclear sanctions was reviewed, knowing that the majority of sanctions were imposed by the United States.

Regarding the crimes against journalists in Gaza, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "Crimes in Gaza cannot be described by any standard. The reason why the word genocide is used in Gaza is that no other word can be found. Since the beginning of the genocide plan, journalists have always been one of the constant targets of the Zionist regime, and the reason for this is clear. This burdens the media, politicians, and all those who have a voice in the international community, so that this stain of shame remains on the face of the Zionist regime." All parties involved in the process of normalizing Israeli crimes are responsible. We hope that one day we will see justice done.

Regarding whether the Iran-Europe talks are continuing, he said: "We have been and are continuously consulting with the other parties on the nuclear issue. The expert meeting a few days ago was in this regard. Today and tomorrow we have a trilateral meeting of Iran, Russia and China in Moscow, which is an expert meeting. Our legal department is involved and soon we will also have a meeting at the level of deputies with the new EU foreign policy officials."

Negotiations have not started; we are waiting for the US decision

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in response to the question whether negotiations between Iran and the US have started: "It is false news."

Regarding Araqchi's tweet and Steve Witkoff's comment, Baqaei clarified: The other side should be asked on what basis they wrote the comment and then deleted it, of course, everyone can have their own analysis.

Regarding negotiations with the US, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: Iran's response letter was given to the US, we are waiting for the US decision in this regard. Iran's proposal for indirect negotiations is generous and responsible, taking into account the history of this issue and considering the trends in the past decade. For now, we are focused on the proposals. A decision will be made on what happens in the future.

Regarding the presence of figures in negotiations with the US, Baqaei said: "It is all media speculation. The Foreign Ministry is responsible for advancing the negotiations in accordance with the law." The talks that are heard from time to time from domestic media and foreign sources are media speculation and have no basis or foundation.

Establishing an Afghan consulate in Birjand is not an option

Regarding the establishment of an Afghan consulate in Birjand, Beqaei said: We have not received such a proposal from any legal authority so far, and it has not been raised in the Foreign Ministry. Establishing representations in countries involves legal steps that must be taken. We have no plans in this regard.

Regarding the change in the nuclear doctrine and Ali Larijani's remarks, he said: Iran's position on the nuclear issue is completely transparent. In the last tweet they published, the Foreign Minister clearly stated that Iran never seeks nuclear weapons. This is part of our strategy based on the Leader's fatwa.

Regarding Iran-Turkey relations, Beqaei said: We have had and continue to have good relations with Turkey as a neighboring Muslim country, and both countries are determined to maintain this relationship. We must manage differences of opinion on regional issues. We have warned very clearly from the very beginning of the developments in Syria that the only beneficiary will be the Zionist regime, which will exploit the power vacuum to repeat its crimes in Islamic countries. We have seen that in recent times it has attacked and destroyed many of Syria's infrastructures. We hope that all countries in the region will work towards reaching a consensus to prevent the crimes of the Zionist regime in the region.

Trump's letter is a combination of threats and suggestions

He said about the tone of Trump's letter: "It is nothing more than what you heard in the media from US officials. It is a combination of threats and suggestions. We announced that we adjusted our response appropriately and did not close the way for diplomacy. Iran's proposal should be appreciated and, considering previous records, it shows Iran's responsible and comprehensive approach to regional issues and security."

New German government to reconsider policies

Baqai said about the new government in Germany: "We place great value on relations with European countries and adhere to principles and relations with countries. At one point, due to the harsh policy of the ruling people in Germany, our relations with this country suffered damage. Our compatriots were harmed and this damage continues. We hope that the new German government will reconsider its policies."

Regarding the French Foreign Minister's claim that the trigger mechanism against Iran was activated, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "Three European countries, along with the European Union, played an important role from the beginning of the negotiations." A role that not only helped advance the matter, but was also an opportunity for the European Union to show itself as a responsible actor, which the Islamic Republic of Iran provided to these three European countries. This was the only achievement of the European Union in resolving the international issue. After the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, the three European countries were unable to make up for it. If the three European countries do not repeat that behavior, it will create a kind of discredit for them.

Immigration of citizens must be legal

Regarding the visit of Bahrami, Director General of South Asia, to Kabul and the agenda of this trip, Beqaei said: The travel program focuses on issues that exist in the relationship between the two countries, the issue of immigrants, water and security has been raised. Regarding immigrants, a relevant institution in Iran is working to legalize citizens. Afghan immigrants, as guests of Iran, enjoyed all the facilities that existed in Iran for 5 decades. Our point in the issue of organizing immigration is that immigration must be legal, and this is something that all governments have a clear view on.

Regarding the situation in Syria and Israel's attack on the country's infrastructure, he said: "The reason is clear because the regime is trying to turn the countries adjacent to occupied Palestine into countries that lack the ability to defend themselves and act actively; therefore, after the developments in Syria, the Zionist regime used all its military capabilities. This is a model that it has used in neighboring countries for the past 7 decades."

Regarding the US Congressional plan to liberate Iraq from Iran, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "The title of this plan is very apt: 'Liberation of Iraq from Iran'; using this word itself is offensive. A party that has a history of occupying Iraq claims to liberate a Muslim country from a neighboring Muslim country. Iran and Iraq are vigilant and know that such plans are designed to disrupt neighborly relations."

The President's visit to Azerbaijan is on the agenda

Regarding the doctors' visit to Azerbaijan, he said: "The President's visit is on the agenda and we are in talks."

Regarding the deadline for reaching an agreement and the request to raise other issues in Trump's letter, Baqaei said: "We have repeatedly emphasized that we believe that indirect negotiations should only be held on the nuclear issue. This letter is not about other issues that have been speculated in the media, and I do not confirm this."

Regarding the US policy of imposing tariffs on countries, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We share the concerns of many countries about the effects and consequences of unilateral approaches, especially in the field of international trade. Unilateral approaches are absolutely not in the interest of international order. International institutions, as a symbol of the common commitment of the international community, must continue to be the basis and guide for countries' behavior at the international level, and we hope that all countries will come to the conclusion that approaches of threats and intimidation will have consequences for everyone."

Regarding Netanyahu's visit to the US and threats against Iranian soil, he said: "We will respond to any aggression against the country's soil with all our might."

Regarding the claims that Iranian forces were targeted in Yemen and the aggression against this country, Baghaei clarified: "Some of them are trying to say that the resistance in the region is Iran's proxy, and from time to time they publish reports about the martyrdom of Iranian forces, which we do not approve of. The aggression against Yemen must stop, and the solution to the issue is to end the crime and massacre in occupied Palestine."

Regarding the reports about Trump's assassination, he said: "The reactions were so unusual that it is not worth responding. We have repeatedly stated our position. The issue of assassinating Iranian heroes is not an issue that can be forgiven, and this issue will always remain in the minds of the Iranian people, but Iran has always stated that it will pursue justice through legal channels, and the investigation process is ongoing."

Regarding the claims of the United States and Western countries regarding the root of insecurity in the region, Baghaei said: "Repeating a lie does not make it a reality. The problem for Western countries in analyzing developments in the region is that they do not want to accept that occupation and crime cause insecurity." In order not to accept the issue, they point the finger of blame at Iran.

Regarding the difference between direct and indirect negotiations with the United States, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: The difference between direct and indirect negotiations is what can be seen in the process of Iran's nuclear negotiations itself. During the era of the former US president, we conducted negotiations indirectly, and indirect negotiations are a model that have been tried and the reason for their failure to reach a conclusion was due to issues that are debatable. This is not unusual.

Regarding Iranophobia during Hajj, he said: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports any effort to show the image and position of Iran and the Iranian nation in cooperation and coordination with the Hajj issue.

The United States must answer its citizens regarding its nationals

Regarding the sanctions against several Iranian officials claiming to be involved in the disappearance of former CIA agent Robert Levinson, Beqaei stated: Using all means and pretexts to advance the sanctions and maximum pressure plan. Regarding the issue that they claim happened 18 years ago and at one point their then-Secretary of State announced that this person had disappeared somewhere in Southwest Asia and had nothing to do with Iran, and reviving this issue is projection. The United States must answer its citizens regarding its nationals. Simply accusing another country is merely erasing the issue and simplifying the issue. Despite repeating these accusations for a decade, they have not provided any evidence or documentation regarding this person entering Iran or anything happening to him in Iran, and the sanctions against Iranian citizens on this pretext are unjustified, illegal, and arbitrary.

Consular access is a fundamental right of foreign nationals

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said regarding the latest situation of Mahdieh Esfandiari, a citizen detained in France: "Unfortunately, an Iranian citizen has been detained in France for about three to four weeks without being informed about the reason for her detention or granting her consular access. Consular access is a fundamental right of foreign nationals who, for any reason, encounter problems or are detained in another country. Article 36 of the Convention on Consular Relations also stipulates this issue. In order to protect our nationals, we are seriously pursuing this issue through the Iranian Embassy in Paris and the French Embassy in Tehran."

He said: "My colleagues in the bilateral and consular sectors have also been in contact with the French Embassy in Tehran in recent days and have been pursuing the issue. We hope that the French government will provide access to this Iranian citizen as soon as possible, in order to comply with its international, legal and human rights obligations, and that the reason for her detention will be clarified."

Iran has acted fully responsibly regarding the case of French prisoners in Iran

He said regarding the case of French prisoners in Iran and France's claims in this regard: Iran has acted fully responsibly regarding this issue and in accordance with Iranian laws and regulations. We have been in continuous contact with French authorities regarding the issue of the Iranian citizens who were murdered and regarding another citizen who is imprisoned, and we have raised all consular issues.

He said in response to military threats against Iran: We are prepared for any eventuality, and the Islamic Republic of Iran has worked to build a defense capability in these five decades. Threats made against Iran will face a clear response from Iran if they are realized.