WATCH: Iranian Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei Holds Press Conference Amid Rising Global Tensions | AC14

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:06]Mr. Doctor, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity.

[00:00:08]Iran has responded to the US proposal, but it seems that Donald Trump is not satisfied. If the US does this twice and attacks Iran for the third time in the past year, how do you see the future of diplomacy and negotiations?

[00:00:23]We will fight whenever necessary. We will use the weapon of diplomacy whenever we see fit to achieve the interests of the Iranian people.

[00:00:35]The satisfaction of others is not important to us.

[00:00:38]Diplomatic processes have their own rules. In a diplomatic process, the parties involved in negotiation and diplomacy must make decisions based on their own national interests. The Islamic Republic of Iran has shown that it is serious about pursuing its national interests and legitimate rights, while at the same time participating in diplomatic processes in good faith and in a reasonable manner. The other side in this regard must prove itself, it must prove that it is serious in this regard. So far, the US has failed in every diplomatic process it has participated in over the past 20 years.

[00:01:30]Since 2015, it has continuously committed breach of promise, withdrawing from the JCPOA in 2018, and in the past year, even worse, attacking the diplomacy and negotiation table.

[00:01:50]Please accept my apologies.

[00:01:54]Hello, Mr. Baghai. Good time. Mr. Baghai. Recently, the Taliban announced that it has a position of active neutrality regarding the Iran- US war. What is your assessment of this issue? I would like to present it to you so that you can see that in today's world, I think the task is clear.

[00:02:23]Not only the countries of the region, but the entire world is witnessing the fact that the war imposed on Iran is an illegal war. It is a criminal act that is incompatible with any of the principles of international law of the United Nations Charter.

[00:02:47]This is what the world's public opinion recognizes, and we acknowledge this in our contacts with many countries we have discussions with.

[00:03:03]Islamic countries in particular should be aware of the fact that the US and the Zionist regime's attack on Iran is not just an attack on one country. It is not an isolated act. It is part of a process that began a long time ago. In principle, I think that no country, no party, no human being can remain indifferent to the crimes committed in Gaza and in Lebanon, and other crimes committed against at least seven countries in just the last year or two. It is both a moral obligation of all countries and a legal obligation to take a firm stand against gross violations of international law.

[00:04:03]Tabnak.

[00:04:07]Hello, Dr., don't be tired.

[00:04:08]Thank you, Dr.. Some media outlets, including Reuters, have announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US are not seeking a complete and comprehensive agreement in the current situation, and most of the issues are focused on the Strait of Hormuz. I wanted to see if this is true.

[00:04:27]Well, we had said this before. At this stage, our focus is on what is urgent. What is urgent is ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and ensuring safety and security. Navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz while simultaneously stopping illegal actions and US maritime piracy against commercial ships. I think this has led to a war.

[00:05:12]Good time, Mr. Speaker. The issue I wanted to raise with you is the repeated rhetoric of the US President. One of these is the threat of using nuclear weapons against Iran. This is while they are constantly repeating that they are trying to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and have even attacked Iran twice so far because of this issue. I wanted to know about the Foreign Ministry's issue on this issue.

[00:05:37]Well, I tweeted about this a few days ago.

[00:05:42]It is part of the contradictory statements and threatening lip service of US officials, which shows their nature and approach towards the Iranian nation, towards international law and towards international peace and security in general.

[00:06:03]Such threats are also against the principles of international law. Countries with nuclear weapons are not allowed at all. It is forbidden to threaten other countries with the use of nuclear weapons. And rest assured. The Islamic Republic of Iran knows very well how to defend itself in any situation.

[00:06:29]These threats are not going to have any effect on our determination to insist on our rights and interests. Tasnim.

[00:06:39]Greetings and respect to you, Doctor. Recently, we have witnessed a series of movements by terrorist groups in Iraq.

[00:06:46]Now, even though Iran and Iraq have a security agreement with each other, it seems to show that the Iraqi side has not acted properly in reducing these terrorist acts. I wanted to know about Iran's pursuit of implementing this security agreement. Has there been any recent negotiations or consultations with the Iraqi side on this issue?

[00:07:09]Thank you. Well, it is natural that we should be in constant contact with our Iraqi neighbors and our friends in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq regarding border issues.

[00:07:28]These contacts were established during the imposed war, and I think the process of cooperation between the two sides was useful and positive, and these contacts have continued in the past 20 days.

[00:07:47]Everyone is acknowledging that any insecurity in our surrounding region is inherent to all countries in the region. This awareness and consensus has paved the way for very useful cooperation between regional countries, including between Iran and Iraq, to ​​ward off any evil that could jeopardize the security of the two countries.

[00:08:22]Jam Jam Hello Mr. Baqi, how are you? A few days ago, the Russian President spoke about his readiness to transfer Iran's enriched uranium to this country, based on previous experience. Iran had already announced that it was against it, and the United States also opposed it. We wanted to see whether this issue was raised at all during the negotiations, and whether we can consider this Iranian position as fixed.

[00:08:58]I explained to you that at the current stage, our focus is on ending the war.

[00:09:15]What decision will be made later on the nuclear issue regarding Iranian materials, on issues related to enrichment, and what options should we consider? This is an issue that we will definitely discuss when the time comes. Please, ISNA.

[00:09:30]Hello, good morning, Mr. Baghaei. I had a question about Qatar. Yesterday, Mr. Araqchi held a meeting and consultation with the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister of Qatar. This is while he had previously held consultations with American officials, including the Prime Minister of Qatar, on Friday and Saturday. There is some news that Qatar's mediation role is increasing in resolving the Iran-US crisis. I wanted to explain in this regard about the phone conversation and the position that is being raised.

[00:10:05]Many countries are calling, countries in the region, many of them are genuinely concerned about the escalation of tensions.

[00:10:17]We have always appreciated all parties who, in good faith, try to use their beautiful issues to persuade the opposing parties to stop creating tension in the region.

[00:10:38]But the mediator is still Pakistan. Pakistan is continuing its work as the official mediator between Iran and the United States. Other countries, including Qatar, which you mentioned, have connections to both sides and have ideas and opinions that they share with the Foreign Minister at any opportunity they deem necessary.

[00:11:06]Fars Hello, Mr. Baghaei. Greetings, Mr. Baghaei. There were a series of published reports that the Zionist regime had secretly established a military base inside Iraq at the beginning of the war, and the United States was also aware of it and actually used this base for its attacks on Iran.

[00:11:30]I want to see if you have any media reports, has anything been officially conveyed to you, and have you spoken to Iraqi officials about this? Now, he has said something in protest because later the Iraqis themselves confirmed that such a case had happened. I wonder.

[00:11:46]Well, we do not rule out any possibility. We must take everything seriously regarding the evil of the Zionist regime in the region.

[00:11:56]This is an important issue. We will definitely raise it with the Iraqi parties. What is clear, and the history of the Zionist regime's behavior in the region shows, is that they do not observe any limits or red lines in order to hit the countries in the region, to create differences among the countries in the region, to harm the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

[00:12:29]Therefore, we will definitely address this issue, along with many other reports we have received regarding the Zionist regime's abuse of the territory and facilities of countries in our region. C-City Hello, don't be shy, spokesperson.

[00:12:47]During the recent visit of Foreign Minister Araqchi to Beijing, the strategic partnership between Iran and China and Tehran's firm support for the One China principle were emphasized.

[00:13:00]However, given that this principle is a fundamental tenet in international relations and the basis of relations between 183 countries and China, please state your official position on the Taiwan issue.

[00:13:18]Well, the position regarding Taiwan is very clear. We have a resolution. Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly of October 25, 1971, made that task clear for China, and the international community has accepted this basis as its model of behavior in diplomatic relations with China. Any action contrary to it aimed at undermining this comprehensive decision of the United Nations is unacceptable in our view.

[00:14:04]I mentioned that Dr. Araghchi's visit was an important one, and it is a continuation of the ongoing consultations that exist between Iran and China.

[00:14:15]In the current situation in the region, these contacts and consultations are doubly important because we and China share views on regional peace and security, and therefore we will definitely use and welcome any action we can take jointly or any practical initiative that China has to help restore peace and literacy in the region.

[00:14:48]Breaking news, Mr. Baghaei, greetings. My question is about the statements of Mr. Putin, the President of Russia.

[00:14:58]He said that despite the presence of Iran, Russia, and China, the United States cannot claim to lead the entire world. What do you think about this opinion?

[00:15:14]I definitely need to see the exact sentence, but what is clear is that this is a principled position that the world should not be subject to a unilateralist stance that does not attach any importance or value to internationally recognized norms.

[00:15:42]In practice, it has committed a threat to regional peace and security. In fact, it has committed a threat to international peace and security.

[00:15:55]Its behavior in the United Nations has been in a way that has called into question the credibility of this organization. I think that every responsible country that believes in achieving peace and international security and the rule of law should support such a position. Let's come here. Journalists' Club.

[00:16:23]Greetings and respect. Mr. Doctor, assalamu alaykum. There has been talk that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is opposed to controlling the Strait of Hormuz. Is it opposed?

[00:16:33]Yes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is opposed.

[00:16:35]Yes, yes, does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have such an approach?

[00:16:39]Thank you very much.

[00:16:43]The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is part of the Islamic Republic and decisions that are made based on the hierarchy of the system are completely subordinate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sometimes, some wording is used in relation to the issue of the Strait of Hormuz that may not be accurate. I have repeatedly emphasized here that the measures that the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken since March 31, following the military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime, and the support of some countries in the region, are based on international law. It is based on domestic laws. It is entirely permissible for a coastal country that is the subject of military aggression and is located next to a strait to take the necessary measures to prevent the misuse of that water for continued military aggression. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs definitely has a clear position on this matter. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself is not separate from the decision-making system and the sovereignty of the country.

[00:18:15]Breaking news?

[00:18:21]Hello Mr. Baqi, have a good day. Rafael Grossi has claimed that even war has failed to destroy Iran's nuclear program and continues to insist on immediate access to nuclear sites for now. First of all, I want to know the Foreign Ministry's position on this claim and whether Iran allows visits to these sites in the current circumstances or not? Thank you. Was it intended that Iran's nuclear facilities or Iran's nuclear program would be destroyed through non-war means? You said that it was not destroyed through war. See, these comments are a reminder of the concern that we have repeatedly raised, namely that the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency has long distanced himself from his duties and his specialized and technical mission. Such comments neither help enhance the agency's credibility nor help fulfill personal ambitions.

[00:19:33]What could restore the Agency's standing is for the Director General and the Agency to condemn the illegal actions of the US and the Zionist regime against Iran's nuclear facilities as soon as possible and to act in a way that prevents such incidents from happening again in the future.

[00:19:57]Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were fully under continuous inspection by the Agency.

[00:20:11]What disrupted the agency's inspections was the illegal attack by the United States and the Zionist regime. The agency's director general should see this reality.

[00:20:26]Well, to serve Shafaqna, Mr. Baghaei, recently there has been disturbing news of the arrest of clerics in Bahrain on the pretext of ties to the IRGC and the idea of ​​Velayat-e-Faqi.

[00:20:40]First, what is the Foreign Ministry's response to these accusations, and are you taking legal and consular measures through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety and fair trial of these Bahraini clerics?

[00:20:57]So, the measures that Bahrain has taken in the last two months under the pretext of the Bahraini people's sympathy for the Iranian people or under the pretext of mourning for the Shiite authority are all gross violations of human rights. The revocation of citizenship from Bahraini citizens is a medieval punishment that has been essentially abolished for years. Such a punishment is against the fundamental principles of human rights. We have clearly stated our positions in line with respecting human beings and upholding human rights standards. These actions by Bahrain violate human rights regulations. They should respect their own people.

[00:22:03]Hurting the feelings of the majority of Bahrain's population will not necessarily benefit the country's stability and security.

[00:22:15]Noor News Hello, Doctor.

[00:22:21]Peace be upon you. A few days ago, the US President called Obama and Biden stupid and claimed that they were blackmailing Iran by paying hundreds of billions of dollars and strengthening Iran and making Iranians smile. He said that we will not allow Iranians to smile anymore and they will not smile. I wanted to get your assessment about the new threat they said they would make regarding Iran.

[00:22:49]No governing body in the US has brought a smile to the faces of Iranians.

[00:22:56]The history of inappropriate behavior of US governing bodies towards the Iranian people goes back to 1953. In 1953, when America abused the trust of the Iranians to collude with Britain in an inhumane coup, the effects of which still exist in the minds and memories of Iranians, the people of the region, and the world to this day.

[00:23:33]Over the past five decades, if you look at the actions of the various American ruling bodies, you will see that they have spared no effort to harm the people of Iran.

[00:23:49]During the Obama era, when they were said to have behaved more appropriately than they did, we were repeatedly faced with breaches of the JCPOA.

[00:24:05]I refer you to the documents that were referred to the Joint Commission of the JCPOA at that time regarding the United States' repeated breaches of the JCPOA.

[00:24:22]So we don't have a good record of the performance of the American parties.

[00:24:31]In these two years, we have no other memories of America than betrayal, broken promises, crimes, and aggression against Iranians. The insults that the Americans made to the Iranian people, the words they used regarding the Iranian civilization and nation will never be forgotten by Iranians as a sign of America's hostility towards Iran and Iranian students.

[00:25:09]Hello and good morning. I would like to say that Mr. Prime Minister Janet Kar of the Zionist regime has said in a good tone that the war with Iran is not over yet and has openly talked about their plan to withdraw uranium from Iran, whether by agreement or by military means. As we see, they are also violating the ceasefire in Lebanon.

[00:25:32]What is your reaction to these statements? Do you think there is a possibility of sabotage by the regime in the possible peace process? There certainly is. We also did not calculate with those who committed such a crime against the Iranian nation.

[00:25:46]If our armed forces are given an opportunity, they will definitely use this opportunity in the best possible way. Good morning.

[00:25:57]Some Western media outlets reported the existence of a suspicious oil slick near Kharg Island and claimed that the Islamic Republic is dumping extracted oil into the sea because it has completed its oil storage capacity. Is this claim true and what is your position on this? A complete lie. Of course, we are very concerned about the environmental damage to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of ​​Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz.

[00:26:30]The history of damaging the marine environment goes back several decades. The US military presence in the region, the numerous wars that the US has imposed on the people of the region, the region has imposed very severe and long-lasting environmental consequences on the region.

[00:26:55]This is a demand from both Iran, the region, and the entire international community. Because the environment does not belong to one or more specific countries, it is basically one of the reasons why we believe we need a management mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. This is to ensure the preservation of the marine environment and to take measures to repair the damage caused to this water area during the war imposed by the United States and the Stevenite regime. But the claims about the oil spill and all that are all fabricated. Please, Rashed, hello, Dr. Don't be tired, Dr. As was also the case in my colleague's question, and you correctly stated, Iran's proposal was not accepted again.

[00:27:57]The annex that Iran had given was not accepted. What are the most important points of disagreement between Iran and the United States regarding the negotiation at the moment, and what is your assessment of the United States' brazen response? Is there a possibility of direct and renewed negotiations between Iran and the United States? Thank you. To summarize, the disagreement is between a side that is simply seeking its own fundamental rights and a side that basically insists on distributing rights to the other side. We are not talking about exchanging privileges here. Releasing Iran's blocked funds is not a privilege that the United States wants to give to the Iranian people. This is a demand for rights.

[00:28:57]Or regarding the discussion of stopping what is called a naval blockade, stopping an illegal action. Again, there is no concession to be made to Iran.

[00:29:14]As for the continuation of the process, we have shown that, regardless of all the interference that may be emitted from different directions, we are focused on Iran's national interests and we will take action in any way necessary and in any way that is required to secure our national interests.

[00:29:43]Good morning. The IR war was a big mistake. We shouldn't have gone into Iraq. We destabilized the Middle East politicians lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. There were no weapons and they themselves knew they were.

[00:29:59]These are the wars of the US president in 2016. The Iraq war was a huge and terrible mistake. We shouldn't have gone to Iraq. We destabilized the Middle East. Politicians lie, saying there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. There was no benefit, and they themselves knew there was none. These are the words of the US President in 2016, and today he took the same path that he criticized in the past, and with these words that he apparently did not believe in, he won votes from American taxpayers.

[00:30:50]What is your assessment of this contradictory speech and behavior? Thank you.

[00:30:51]Well, your question was, in a way, your own answer. This contradictory behavior has become a constant pattern in American foreign policy. It has repeatedly threatened and pressured various countries under various pretexts.

[00:31:12]So, you saw the press conference of the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, which was broadcast live to your presence. You can follow the rest of this meeting on Khabar 2. Be a companion and viewer of Khabar Network.

[00:31:35]Peace be upon you.