Tehran: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has censured US national security adviser Jake Sullivan's recent remarks against Iran's peaceful nuclear program, urging the UN Security Council to hold Washington accountable for threatening to attack the country's nuclear facilities.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Sullivan has reportedly presented US President Joe Biden with options for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran decides to move toward a nuclear weapon -- an allegation Iran has denied over and over again -- before the inauguration of Donald Trump later this month. The presentation was made in a secret briefing several weeks ago, the Axios news site reported, citing three unnamed officials.
Speaking at his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Baghaei said the threat has been repeated many times, adding that from a legal perspective, threatening to use force against countries is a violation of the United Nations Charter. 'This threat against peaceful nuclear facilities is considered a threat to international peace and security, and the Security Council must intervene in these cases and hold the US government accountable,' he stated.
He added that the Iranian people have shown that they will act decisively in defense of their national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and dignity. Baghaei also commemorated the fifth anniversary of the US assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, hailing him as a national hero and a champion in the fight against terrorism.
He also noted that January 7 marks Palestine's 'Day of the Martyr,' drawing attention to ongoing atrocities in the occupied territories. Baghaei labeled these acts as genocide, condemning the actions of Israel and its supporters as a permanent stain on their reputations.
In relation to the strategic agreement with Russia, the spokesman pointed out the details of the Iran-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, noting that the agreement encompasses various dimensions in the fields of economy, trade, energy, environment, and issues related to defense and security. Baghaei also said that the document is an update of the cooperation agreement that was signed by the two countries in the late 1990s. According to the diplomat, the document needed updating partly due to the expansion of ties between Tehran and Moscow over the past three decades.
Further in his presser, the spokesman elaborated on Iran's position on the developments in Syria following the fall of the government of Bashar al-Assad in early December last year. Baghaei said that Iran's stance is clear, emphasizing respect for the choice of the Syrians and preserving the territorial integrity of Syria.
Baghaei also addressed a question regarding the Israeli regime's human rights violations in Gaza. He stated that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been asked to investigate Israel's breach of its obligations, particularly during the 15 months following the revocation of the license for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Regarding Iran-India ties, Baghaei explained that the recent visit to India by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi was part of regular Iran-India consultations, marking the 19th round of such meetings. Takht-Ravanchi held discussions with his Indian counterpart and foreign minister, covering topics including economic and trade cooperation.