Iran has rejected a joint statement issued by 14 Western governments that accuses the Islamic Republic of so-called "state-sponsored threats" in Europe and North America, calling the move a politically motivated smear campaign designed to deflect global outrage over Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

The joint statement, issued on July 31 and signed by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and 10 other NATO-aligned nations, accused Iran of destabilizing activities abroad.

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, denounced the statement as "baseless and ridiculous allegations," and said it reflects a coordinated effort by Western powers to shift public attention away from their complicity in "Israel’s" ongoing atrocities in Palestine.

"This is a brazen attempt to pin the blame on the others and distract the attention of public opinion from the most important topic of the day, namely the Israeli genocidal crimes in Palestine," he stated.

Western hypocrisy

Baghaei went further, calling out the hypocrisy of the nations that signed the statement, many of which actively support or shield the Zionist regime in its crimes against civilians in Gaza. He noted that the very countries accusing Iran of destabilization are the same ones providing diplomatic and military backing to regimes engaged in the destruction of entire populations.

"The US, France and the other countries that have signed the anti-Iranian statement must themselves be held accountable for the measures in violation of the international law in support of terrorism as the sponsors and hosts of the terrorist and violent elements and groups," Baghaei declared, referencing the West’s sheltering of anti-Iran elements and its silence on terrorist acts committed by Israeli forces.

He also drew attention to the recent military provocations by the United States and "Israel" targeting Iranian assets, arguing that such acts of aggression go ignored by the very countries now posturing as upholders of global security. Baghaei called the allegations "a blatant falsification and an escape forward," meant to fuel the ongoing campaign of Iranophobia and justify coercive policies against the Iranian people.

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Describing the move as a violation of international law and the UN Charter, Baghaei said, "The signatories to the statement must be held accountable for their indecent and irresponsible behavior."

The 14 countries behind the anti-Iran declaration are the US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Albania, and the Czech Republic.

Iran demands war compensation before resuming nuclear talks: Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Tehran will not return to the negotiation table over its nuclear program unless the United States compensates Iran for the losses it suffered during the recent US-Israeli aggression. His remarks, published on Thursday in the Financial Times (FT), come amid mounting diplomatic uncertainty following "Israel's" 12-day war with Iran.

Speaking from Tehran, Araghchi emphasized that "business as usual" is no longer acceptable, pointing to what he described as an unprovoked assault that violated international law and severely damaged prospects for dialogue.

"They should explain why they attacked us in the middle of...negotiations, and they have to ensure that they are not going to repeat that [during future talks]," he said in an interview, adding, "And they have to compensate [Iran for] the damage that they have done."

Iran demands compensation for US-Israeli attacks

"Israel" launched an unprovoked war on Iran on June 13, assassinating military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. A week later, the United States joined the assault by bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities, in breach of the UN Charter and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In retaliation, Iran's Armed Forces launched precision strikes on strategic sites across the occupied Palestinian territories and the US’ al-Udeid air base in Qatar. By June 24, "Israel", under intense counterstrikes, sought a ceasefire.

Before the aggression, Iran and the United States had conducted five rounds of indirect talks aimed at reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The sixth round, scheduled for June 15 in Muscat and mediated by Oman, was scrapped due to the escalation.

Araghchi noted to the FT that the war had deeply eroded trust in US President Donald Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 deal during his first term. "Anti-negotiation feelings are very high," he said.

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