Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei sat down for an exclusive interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, where he spoke about how his nation is determined to defend itself.
He warned that the US was draw into the war out of a miscalculation and on Israel’s command, adding that both countries are working to sow discord in the Islamic world.
He also stated that the new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in good health, and that his public appearance has been postponed due to the circumstances of the war.
Interview:
What conditions did Iran set for ending the war?
First, it must be emphasized that this was not a war chosen by Tehran, but rather one imposed on our country by the US and Israel.
Our concern is ensuring that this war is not repeated and that we are not drawn into a vicious cycle. The whole world saw that we were in the midst of negotiations mediated by the Sultanate of Oman. This is the second time in the past nine months that they have sabotaged a diplomatic process. They betrayed diplomacy and started the war.
In June, if you recall, they started this war, and after 12 days they said: “we are sorry, enough is enough, let’s stop, and we stopped.”
Now, nine months later, they have repeated the same scenario.
To reiterate, we were in negotiations. We were supposed to meet on the first Monday in early March, but on February 28 they launched a war against Iran.
Therefore, we are determined to defend our country to the extent that they will be forced not to attack Tehran again.
Some hold Iran responsible for the regional instability. What do you say in response?
We did not start the war – it is the US and Israel who started a war in which innocent people were killed.
It is they who have made the entire region unsafe, from the Gulf to the Sea of Oman, because they are misusing the lands of Muslim countries to attack another Muslim country during the holy month of Ramadan.
I believe this is extremely malicious and dangerous; it is a “fitna” (a term used to describe a plot or scheme to sow discord) and they are trying to create division in the Muslim world.
I believe that our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Gulf countries and beyond must be extremely vigilant, because we harbor no animosity or hostility towards the countries of the region.
On the contrary, we have always been keen to develop and strengthen our relations with all countries in the region based on a policy of mutual respect.
Unfortunately, however, the countries of the region have been unable to prevent the Americans from using their military bases and territories to attack Iran, which must currently defend itself.
You say that America will regret entering the war a second time. Are you certain of that?
I believe so, because the US was dragged into this war due to their own miscalculation and the enticement of Israel. I think everyone in the region knows full well that Israel seeks an endless war in the region; they desire more chaos, insecurity, and bloodshed.
The Americans are confused and bewildered; they don’t even know why they started this war.
The proof of this is the many contradictory statements from their senior officials. Initially, they said it was a response to an imminent threat from Iran. Then the Pentagon said there was no threat from Iran to the United States, and then another day they said the objective was to destroy the Iranian nuclear bomb.
We don’t possess any nuclear bombs, and they know that very well. Incidentally, in June they claimed to have completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear program.
If they had destroyed our nuclear program, why are they repeating the same attack on us?
Will Iran agree to negotiate a third time, and when will that happen?
Iranian public opinion is absolutely not ready to talk about negotiations or diplomacy with the US because they know what happened to the two rounds of negotiations we held in June and then February.
No one in the world can trust American diplomacy anymore – they only use negotiations as a prelude to imposing their will or resorting to force.
In your opinion, has the American presence in the Middle East ended, given the dreams of a new Middle East?
I think everyone can see that the American military presence in the region has brought neither peace nor stability; on the contrary, it has brought only chaos. I believe it would be logical for every country in the region to reconsider its policies regarding the US military presence there.
Returning to the anger felt by the Gulf states, what is your message to them?
We have no message other than one of friendship with our Muslim brothers and sisters in the region. We feel no animosity or hostility towards the countries of the region.
We are also not happy with the current situation, which has forced us to take defensive measures against the military bases used by the US to attack Iran, in light of a joint attack and aggression by Washington and Tel Aviv against Tehran.
It is these military bases, and those refueling aircraft located on the territories of countries in the region, that are being used by both the US and Israel.
The world condemned what happened to the children of the Minab school and the killing of dozens. Will you demand that Netanyahu and Trump be brought before the International Criminal Court?
The attack on the primary school in Minab is just one example of the atrocities committed in the month since the war began.
There are many other similar cases. They have attacked numerous hospitals and schools, and some 600 schools have been partially or completely damaged.
Many healthcare workers have been killed as a result of their indiscriminate targeting of health facilities, medical centers, and hospitals.
What happened is a war crime, and the perpetrators of these atrocities must be held accountable.
There are claims that the new Iranian Supreme Leader has been wounded. What is his health condition, and why hasn’t he appeared in a televised address?
Let me emphasize that the mere election of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei by the Assembly of Experts just a few days after the assassination of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was in itself a very telling thing.
It showed that our system is based on the constitution and that it operates according to established institutional procedures and rules.
As for his health, yes, there is much to be said about his health, but I assure you that he is fine.
I think it is not surprising that under these wartime circumstances it may take some time before he appears publicly, but I assure you that the state, the administration of government, and defense are being managed in a very effective and efficient manner.
How do you view Egypt’s efforts to promote peace in the region?
Egypt is a key player in the Islamic world and the region, and we appreciate its efforts to promote peace.
This is evident in the ongoing communication between President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as the foreign ministers of both countries, Badr Abdelatty and Abbas Araqchi respectively.
Returning to the economic damage to countries worldwide resulting from the outbreak of war, with rising oil prices, will everyone be affected?
I believe the impact and repercussions of this war will be far-reaching.
The entire global economy is affected, and this is not Iran’s fault. We did not welcome the war, and countries should use their influence within the United Nations to hold the aggressors accountable. They should not appease the US and Israel.
Because of this appeasement over the past three years, we have witnessed a tragic genocide against the Palestinians, as well as repeated attacks on Lebanon, Syria, and others, especially after the talk of a so-called “Greater Israel.”
Therefore, I say, “Enough is enough.”
Is the current war regional or directed solely against Iran?
What is happening is not just a conventional or classic war against a particular country.
It is a war that concerns the future of the entire region and the future of its nations. If we think that this is just a conflict between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other, this is a big mistake.
The matter will not be limited to Iran or its borders; it is part of a dangerous scheme that targets the security and future of the entire region.
Iranian Foreign Minister spokesperson in exclusive interview discusses cause of the war and Iran’s stance Egypt Independent.
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