Baghaei: Grossi’s report became one of the pretexts for the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran

At the start of the press conference, Baghaei provided a report on recent developments in foreign policy, stating: "In recent days, while enduring bitter times, we witnessed the national unity of Iranians, which marked proud pages in our country’s history. We laid to rest several of Iran’s martyred sons in their homeland. We pay tribute to all the martyrs of the Zionist regime’s aggression and know that this will lead to Iran’s ever-growing dignity."

Regarding the political approaches of Rafael Grossi and the stance and actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baghaei said: "The IAEA is an international institution with clear duties and specific missions. Our constant demand has been for the Director General to operate within the framework of his technical responsibilities and duties."

He added: "We have always wanted him to act free from influences and pressures. The political approach of the U.S., the European troika, and the Zionist regime is evident, and we have always asked the Director General to carry out his work free from political manipulation. We regret that our requests were not heeded, and the Director General’s report became one of the pretexts for the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran."

The spokesperson for the diplomatic apparatus emphasized: "We have raised our demands with the relevant authorities. Our main demand now is the official identification of the aggressor by the UN Security Council and taking necessary actions to hold it accountable."

Regarding the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA, he stated: "This law pertains to the suspension of cooperation and specifies how such cooperation should proceed. This law is binding for the government and reflects Iran’s dissatisfaction with the developments of the past two weeks, particularly the IAEA’s failure to condemn the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and the assassination of Iranian scientists."

Baghaei added: "In the current situation, the question should be directed to the IAEA Director General: How can he expect us to ensure the safety of IAEA inspectors just one week after the aggression against Iran’s nuclear facilities? We cannot be a member of the NPT and accept its obligations while the IAEA and its Director General remain silent about the aggression against our nuclear facilities. The IAEA and the Director General must reconsider their approach and cooperation with Iran."

He further noted: "Double standards are one of the worst and most damaging policies in international institutions, including those responsible for ensuring international peace and security. The IAEA committed a consequential failure in this regard. The Director General facilitated the aggression against Iran’s nuclear facilities with his report and then attempted to justify the aggression with his statements. This aggression was a severe blow to the non-proliferation regime and created significant environmental safety risks. It is expected that the Director General, alongside expressing concerns about the continuation of cooperation with Iran, should take a clear stance on the consequences of the aforementioned aggression."

Baghaei also said: "It is true that a resolution was issued based on the Director General’s report, which became a pretext for the regime’s aggression. This resolution did not provide a legal basis for the aggression but served as an excuse for committing crimes. The IAEA must be held accountable for this. The Director General’s insistence on inspections at this time is incomprehensible. It has only been a few days since the aggression by the U.S. and the regime, and resuming cooperation between Iran and the IAEA is illogical. Without a precise assessment of the extent and volume of damages, inspector activities are not feasible."

He emphasized: "As long as Iran remains a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it must have access to its rights, one of which is the peaceful use of nuclear energy."

Baghaei stated: "The Americans selectively highlight issues in the media as part of their psychological warfare. Iran’s positions regarding the IAEA and the Director General have been announced boldly and clearly. We are critical and dissatisfied with the Director General’s approach, and we protest that he has not fulfilled his technical duties. The American side makes statements within the framework of psychological warfare."

In response to a question from Mizan about pursuing legal action against the aggressive acts targeting Iran and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ efforts to document the crimes of the Zionist regime and the U.S. on the international stage, as well as the government’s plans to file complaints and pursue legal action for these crimes, including the targeting of Evin Prison and hospitals, Baghaei said: "From a legal perspective, the act that took place was a criminal act, and all actions and crimes committed must be viewed within this framework."

He emphasized: "The very act carried out by the Zionist regime is a crime under the statute of the International Criminal Court, and multiple war crimes were committed within the scope of this aggression. Undoubtedly, every martyr and every building destroyed in Iran constitutes a war crime because the Zionist regime carried out this act without any reason or excuse. Therefore, we do not differentiate between military and civilian targets in this context; legally, it is entirely clear."

The spokesperson for the diplomatic apparatus added: "From the very beginning, on Friday, necessary correspondence was conducted with the UN Security Council and human rights institutions. I believe at least ten communications have been made so far with the UN Secretary-General and relevant UN bodies, including the Security Council and the Secretary-General himself. Three specific meetings on this issue have been held at the Security Council level. Documenting the crimes is being pursued seriously. A special legal committee has been formed under the Vice Presidency for Legal Affairs to collect evidence and present it to competent international authorities, human rights bodies, the UN Security Council, and the International Committee of the Red Cross."

Regarding the role of other countries in the Zionist regime’s aggression, Baghaei said: "Much information has been published about the Zionist regime’s misuse of other countries’ territories to carry out military aggression against Iran. We have shared this information with the relevant countries."

He emphasized: "Neighboring countries are certainly aware of their duties and responsibilities under international law. All neighboring countries, without exception, have assured us that they will not allow the Zionist regime to use their territories. We have heard the explanations from the relevant countries, and all of them have firmly denied granting or intending to grant such permission. This matter is under investigation, and our armed forces are undoubtedly monitoring these cases."

Baghaei, addressing claims by Trump regarding sanction relief, said: "These claims are not true. We have heard such claims before. Fluctuations in U.S. policy over the past three to four months have been a consistent pattern and are unreliable, merely a media game."

He stressed: "Let us not forget that in the midst of a diplomatic process, we were targeted by aggression from the regime in collaboration with the U.S."

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: "In these two weeks, a significant event occurred: the Zionist regime’s aggression, with U.S. complicity, in the middle of a diplomatic process. The U.S. betrayed a diplomatic process, and this cannot leave negotiations unaffected."

Regarding claims by Germany and France concerning Iran, Baghaei said: "The stance of Germany and France regarding the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran is unacceptable. The positions of German officials in recent days have created a historic shame for this country."

He emphasized: "Those familiar with Germany’s rhetoric and Hitler’s actions know what ‘dirty work’ means. The cultured people of Germany and the world should demand that this country’s officials explain this terminology and rhetoric. For Iranians, this rhetoric is like pouring salt on a wound. These positions are condemnable and unacceptable, showing that some influential European countries like Germany have jeopardized their credibility."

Regarding France’s complicity with the Zionist regime in intercepting Iranian drones and its recent stance on negotiations, Baghaei said: "France has admitted to participating in the aggression against Iran, which reveals the French government’s responsibility as a party involved in this aggression. France must be held accountable. This also demonstrates the strength of the Iranian people and armed forces, who stood alone against aggression supported and collaborated by several countries."