Baghaei: Trigger mechanism will have consequences for the European Troika and the Non‑Proliferation Regime

On Monday, July 13, 2025, Esmaeil Baghaei, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, addressed questions from domestic and international media during his weekly press conference regarding the most significant recent developments in Iran’s foreign policy.

At the start of the briefing, Baghaei congratulated journalists on National Journalist Day, but added: “It is not possible to offer congratulations as on an ordinary day, because our country and the region are mourning journalists and media professionals who lost their lives in the cause of informing the public and exposing lies. The number of journalists martyred in Gaza has now exceeded 230.”

Baghaei stressed that Iran has repeatedly and clearly expressed its objections to what it views as the politicized conduct of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“We have emphasized that the Agency and its officials must fulfill their professional duties. Iran is a member of the Non‑Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, and as a responsible country, it will remain committed to its obligations for as long as it remains a member.”

He noted that at present, no inspectors are present in Iran.

“Iran’s cooperation with the Agency must be based on the most recent parliamentary resolution, and the government and the Foreign Ministry are committed to this. The current issue is not about how inspectors are present at sites, because in accordance with the parliamentary resolution, our cooperation is suspended.”

Baghaei explained that the upcoming IAEA visit to Iran is aimed at discussing these matters. “Our facilities, which are operational and under IAEA oversight, came under illegal attack by two nuclear‑armed regimes, and the Agency failed to fulfill its responsibilities in this matter, instead enabling the political and psychological groundwork for the attack. We are waiting for the meeting to take place in order to decide on the future course of interaction.”

He confirmed that Massimo Aparo, the IAEA Deputy Director General, will visit Iran in less than 10 days.

Regarding speculation about message exchanges between Iran and the United States, Baghaei stated: “No direct negotiations between Iran and the United States are taking place. Any future contact or negotiation—if conditions are met—will be under circumstances different from those before June 12. In any potential talks, holding the U.S. accountable and obtaining compensation will be among the key data-x-items on the agenda.”

Commenting on the European Troika’s approach to Iran’s nuclear file, Baghaei said: “We have spoken extensively about the trigger mechanism. The European Troika has neither the legal nor moral right to invoke this mechanism to reimpose sanctions. They know that such a move will have consequences for themselves and for the non‑proliferation regime. The matter is clear. At the last meeting in Istanbul, both sides agreed to continue talks, though the time and place for the next round have yet to be determined. Deputy foreign ministers from both sides remain in contact.”

In response to remarks by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy about Iran’s nuclear program, Baghaei said: “The reality is that the British Foreign Secretary is in no position to comment on the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities.”