Baghaei: Calling for Iran’s restraint is nothing but hypocrisy and irresponsibility

Esmail Baghaei, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, on Monday, June 16, 2025, at his weekly press conference, responded to journalists’ questions from both domestic and international media about the most significant developments in Iran’s foreign policy over the past week.

Iran’s response is legitimate defense based on international law and human logic

At the start of the press conference, Baghaei referred to the aggression by the Israeli regime against Iran and said: “Today marks the fourth day we are defending ourselves against overt aggression.”

He stated that a number of Iranian citizens and renowned scientific figures were martyred due to the aggression. “I offer my condolences; their memory will remain alive in all of us. We have launched a courageous resistance, and we will continue this path with all our might.”

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson stressed: “Our response is a legitimate defense based on international law and human logic. All those who supported or justified this aggression are accomplices in its crimes. This aggression did not happen in a vacuum; it is a continuation of crimes that have kept our region in conflict for nearly eight decades.”

He added: “The Israeli regime is engaged in ongoing genocidal crimes in Palestine, a fact we must not forget. The impunity it enjoys, along with US support, poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region.”

Baghaei stressed: “While we spare no effort in defending ourselves, we call upon all UN member states to take action if they believe in the UN Charter and international security mechanisms. The Security Council must act; ambiguous statements serve only to justify aggression. Calling for Iran’s restraint is nothing but hypocrisy and irresponsibility.”

He said: “The Israeli regime attacked our nuclear facilities and residential areas, in violation of international norms and regulations. The killing of ordinary people and high-profile figures, while there’s no state of war, is prohibited under international law.”

Baghaei went on to explain the measures expected from friendly countries, stating: “This war, which is against human civilization, is not limited to Iran; it is waged by a racist, settler, and occupation power against a country with a millennia-old history and against the rule of law under the UN Charter.”

He added: “All states and governments who believe in international peace and coexistence must act to hold the Israeli regime accountable. We call upon all friendly and influential states to use their full power to pass binding resolutions against the Israeli regime. This is a test for all in their resistance to unlawful aggression.”

He also recounted the stories of some of the martyrs of the Israeli aggression against Iran.

Negotiations are meaningless in this situation

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson addressed US collusion with Israel in the diplomatic process, stating: “We were engaged in diplomatic negotiations when the Israeli aggression began — an aggression made possible by the USA. This rendered the diplomatic process meaningless.”

He stressed: “The USA must take a clear position; ambiguous messages do not contribute to peace. We have no doubt that the USA is a party to this aggression.”

Baghaei further commented on Trump’s statements about the aggression: “Negotiating under these conditions is meaningless; the USA, as a permanent member of the Security Council, must condemn this aggression instead of turning a blind eye to the facts. The USA must take a clear and decisive action against this violation.”

He also addressed comments by Persian-language media opposed to Iran, stating: “Whoever speaks ill of their country, may that person remain stateless.”

Diplomacy is not suspended

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson explained Iran’s view on indirect negotiations with the USA: “Diplomacy is not suspended; diplomacy must serve the country’s national interest in both peace and war — especially for Iran, which has always kept diplomatic channels alive. We were in the middle of diplomatic negotiations when the aggression began. This is a blow to diplomacy, and that's why the Oman meeting was canceled.”

Iran’s regional and international legal actions

Baghaei addressed Iran’s legal measures following the Israeli aggression: “We called for a Security Council emergency meeting and for it to decisively condemn the aggression and bring it to a halt. However, due to the political approach of some Security Council members — namely the USA, France, and the UK — this was not possible. This resonates with their actions in 1980, following Saddam’s aggression against Iran.”

He stressed: “We will insist upon our rights as a member of the UN. We have also called for a special meeting of the IAEA’s Board of Governors today; both the IAEA’s governing board and its Director General have a clear responsibility in this matter.”

He added: “Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities — facilities under the supervision of the IAEA — were attacked, which is prohibited under international regulations and constitutes a violation of international peace. We therefore expect the IAEA’s board to decisively condemn these crimes.”

Baghaei stressed that Iran is following up on the matter at the regional level and through international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS.

The response to Israel does not require coordination with others

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson stressed: “The response to Israel’s aggression does not require coordination; we are in complete coordination with all the countries in the region in addressing the ramifications of this clear violation of the law.”

He added: “The Foreign Minister made numerous phone calls to his counterparts in other countries, and the region is united in condemning this aggression. Everyone realizes that the fire may soon grow.”

Baghaei also explained: “The meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will be held soon, with the main item on its agenda being this aggression.”

The Israeli aggression meets all criteria of aggression and war crimes

Baghaei stressed: “According to the Rome Statute, the Israeli aggression includes all elements of aggression; this is a war crime added to its crimes against humanity. Germany and France have not taken a proper moral or legal position in this regard.”

He explained Iran’s view on offers for mediation: “Iran’s main concern, through its diplomatic apparatus and armed forces, is the defense of its territory. Anyone offering help must pressure the aggressor to halt its crimes first.”

He addressed the Western governments: “To the Western governments, I say: for once, stand on the side of justice. History will remember your choices. During Saddam’s aggression against Iran, you chose silence. Now you are repeating that silence. The people of Iran demand that you redeem yourself by honoring the UN Charter.”

He added: “If we hadn’t engaged in diplomacy, the question might arise whether we could have avoided conflict. The side to be condemned is the Israeli regime, which chose aggression instead of peace. The USA either failed or chose not to prohibit its ally from choosing aggression. This country’s claim to be a peacemaker falls flat in the face of its continued crimes alongside Israel.”

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