Iran says it holds US and Israel responsible for illegal attacks on nuclear facilities

“We undoubtedly consider the Israeli regime and the United States responsible for the unlawful assaults against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities,” Esmaeil Baqaei said during a press conference on Monday.

He was responding to a question by IRNA’s correspondent on recent remarks by Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, who said he did not say Iran was seeking nuclear weapons in his reports in an attempt to justify military strikes on the country’s nuclear sites.

Baqaei said, nevertheless, that the abuse of IAEA reports by the US and three European countries created a pretext for Israel and the US to exploit the situation.

He noted that even the IAEA chief acknowledged that no report from the IAEA contained any evidence of Iran’s nuclear program deviating from its peaceful path.

“In such circumstances, it was expected that the IAEA would swiftly condemn the Israeli and American actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities,” he said.

‘Snapback mechanism’ lacks legitimacy: Baqaei

Referring to the triggering of the snapback of UN sanctions by three European powers, Baqaei said at least two permanent members of the UN Security Council opposed the move, proving that there is no consensus even among permanent members on restoring the terminated resolutions.

He said the action by the three European countries was unjustified not only from Iran’s point of view but also from the perspective of six of the 15 Security Council members.

Baqaei added that four members had twice voted against the draft resolution proposed by the Europeans to reinstate the terminated sanctions, refusing to support it.

Iran urges world to reject E3’s move

“Our request from all countries, especially neighboring and friendly countries, is to refrain from implementing or giving effect to the decision by the three European states, which is illegal and has not followed the legal procedures of the Security Council,” he said.

Asked about reports that Turkiye had issued a directive to enforce UN sanctions on Iran, Baqaei said the move was “unnecessary” and “in effect illegal,” since the entire legal basis for the European snapback attempt was invalid.

He added that none of the Iranian institutions mentioned in the directive, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and its international affairs department, had any assets or accounts in Turkiye.

‘Iran was open to US participation in New York talks’

Regarding recent diplomatic exchanges in New York, the spokesman said Iran had no objection to the participation of the US in proposed multilateral meetings aimed at preventing the reinstatement of the terminated resolutions.

“To show goodwill, Iran accepted the proposal, but the other parties avoided holding the meeting, citing internal disagreements,” he said.

Cairo understanding ‘no longer applicable’

On the future of the Cairo understanding with the IAEA, Baqaei said the agreement was no longer applicable after the Europeans activated the snapback process.

“We are now precisely at the stage the foreign minister had warned about,” he said. “The future course will be determined by competent institutions, including the Supreme National Security Council.”

Israel behind US pullout from nuclear deal: Baqaei

Baqaei also said the Israel regime was the main factor behind the US’s unlawful withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that the move undermined America’s credibility.

He stressed that, according to the IAEA and its Director General Rafael Grossi, Iran’s nuclear program has never deviated from its peaceful nature.

Baqaei warns against misuse of neighbors’ airspace for hostile acts

Elsewhere in his presser, Baqaei warned that any misuse of neighboring countries’ airspace or territory for hostile actions against Iran would be “a serious and unacceptable matter.”

He said the Foreign Ministry, as the diplomatic body safeguarding Iran’s national interests, pursues with full capacity any issue conveyed to it by competent military or security authorities.

“As we had repeatedly warned before the outbreak of the Israeli and American military aggression, any misuse of neighboring countries’ airspace or territory for actions against Iran is a serious and unacceptable issue,” he said, emphasizing that such warnings remain in effect.

Baqaei added that Iran’s neighbors are fully aware that allowing their territories to be used by third parties for illegal or aggressive acts against Iran’s sovereignty constitutes “a clear violation of international law.”

In such cases, he went on, “the Islamic Republic of Iran undoubtedly reserves its right to respond appropriately and will act in proportion to the nature of the threat.”

Iran has ‘serious concern’ about US-proposed Gaza truce deal

Turning to the situation in Gaza, Baqaei said Iran has already issued a clear statement regarding the so-called US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“We welcome any initiative that would, at this stage, lead to stopping the genocide in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to reach the oppressed people of occupied Palestine,” he stated.

However, he voiced “serious concerns” about the plan and its possible consequences, warning that such proposals could create “dangerous implications for Palestine, its people, and the region.”

Detention of Iranian citizen in France ‘illegal’

Regarding consular issues, Baqaei confirmed that the case of an Iranian national detained in France and that of two French citizens arrested in Iran were “two separate cases.”

He said Tehran views the detention of its citizen in France as illegal, while the charges against the two French nationals in Iran are clearly defined.

He noted that discussions to facilitate their cases are ongoing and expressed hope that the process “will soon yield results.”

No hurry to re-establish ties with Syria: Baqaei

On Syria, Baqaei reaffirmed Iran’s consistent stance in support of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the fact that Syria must be able to defend itself against continuous Israeli aggression.

“Regarding the [re-establishment of] bilateral relations, as we have already said, we are in no hurry in this regard,” he said.

He said the future of Syria “must be determined by its people without any foreign interference” and added that Iran closely monitors developments there while remaining ready to cooperate with all regional states to strengthen stability and security in the region.