Tehran: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, has reiterated the country's strong diplomatic relations with China, highlighting ongoing interactions between the two nations. Baqaei emphasized that the upcoming BRICS summit will serve as another platform for Iran to engage in discussions with China and other member states, underscoring the significance of multilateral forums like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei expressed Iran's nuanced stance on diplomacy, viewing it as a strategic tool for protecting national interests and security. He criticized efforts by the United States, France, Britain, and Germany to advance a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors. This resolution could lead to Iran's nuclear issue being referred to the UN Security Council, a move Baqaei described as legally inconsistent.
Baqaei argued that previous claims by European countries and the United States regarding the snapback mechanism contradict their current actions. He emphasized that revisiting Iran's nuclear issue undermines these claims and aligns with the position held by Iran, China, and Russia that the snapback was unlawful.
The spokesperson also criticized the European Trio for their repeated strategy on the nuclear issue, which he said had failed in the past and complicated matters further. He highlighted US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites as barriers to inspections and warned against reckless actions by Washington and European countries, urging them to heed the proverb about learning from past mistakes.
Addressing regional tensions, Baqaei condemned a recent US attack on Sirik and highlighted ongoing US military and economic pressure on Iran. He argued that these pressures extend beyond Iran, affecting international trade and the principles of the UN Charter.
On the Palestinian issue, Baqaei condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, labeling the civilian casualties as war crimes and genocide. He stressed the lasting impact of these violations on human history.
Baqaei reaffirmed the strength of Iran-China relations, noting that the absence of a bilateral meeting between the Iranian and Chinese presidents during the SCO summit should not be seen as significant. He emphasized that BRICS would offer further opportunities for diplomatic engagement.
Finally, Baqaei signaled Iran's readiness to respond to any provocative actions by the United States and European countries, interpreting their moves as a sign of ill will and a desire to escalate tensions.