'Greater Israel' plan exposes Tel Aviv’s expansionist plans: MFA spox.
Iran condemns Netanyahu’s "Greater Israel" plan as expansionist and destabilizing, warning of endless wars if it is left unchecked.
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Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, undated (Iranian media)
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that the latest developments have further exposed the "domineering and expansionist" nature of the Israeli regime to regional states.
Speaking at his weekly press conference, Baghaei condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks about his ambition to realize the so-called "Greater Israel" project, which envisions control over large parts of Arab and Islamic lands.
He stressed that "Israel’s" ongoing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, combined with ambitions extending to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and even Saudi Arabia, underscores the danger the regime poses to regional stability, warning, "If this expansionism is not curbed, our region will undoubtedly face endless wars."
Netanyahu told Israeli media last week that he feels a deep connection to the "Greater Israel" vision, calling it a "historical and spiritual mission." The following day, Baghaei denounced the remarks as a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law. Hamas also condemned the plan, describing it as evidence of Netanyahu’s "madness and delirium."
On a reported US proposal to disarm Hezbollah, Baghaei said Washington has never played a constructive role in the region, stressing that its interference is "solely aimed at securing and guaranteeing the interests of the Zionist regime."
"The people of Lebanon and other regional countries are well aware of the role and plans of the US in the region," he added, noting that such schemes only aim to sow discord. Additionally, Hamas has reiterated that it will not disarm until an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital is established.
Gaza genocide and forced evictions condemned
Baghaei accused the Israeli regime of implementing a plan to eradicate Palestine as a nation through forced eviction and genocide. He said "Israel" intends to fully evacuate Gaza City and displace nearly one million Palestinians to the south of the Strip, even as residents face starvation, lack of medicine, and worsening humanitarian conditions.
Despite international condemnation of these measures, Baghaei said "Israel" continues them with unwavering US support and impunity. He also dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks about water shortages in Iran, saying, "Those who are known for stealing water from their neighbors and attacking Tehran’s main water pipeline during aggression have no legitimacy to speak on such issues."
On another note, Baghaei reaffirmed that Iran remains vigilant about security in the South Caucasus, stressing that foreign military intervention undermines stability.
Following the US-brokered peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8, he said Iran is "sensitive" to any moves that infringe on Armenia’s sovereignty or alter regional borders. He warned that US and NATO military presence in the region would destabilize, not strengthen, peace.
Armenia and Azerbaijan’s deal includes the establishment of a transport corridor through Armenia’s Syunik province to connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, an arrangement Iran has long opposed, saying it undermines regional geopolitics.