Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Wednesday condemned the Israeli assassination of the Yemeni prime minister and several ministers, calling the act a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. 

In a strongly worded statement, Baghaei said the attack represents yet another example of the Israeli entity’s disregard for international norms and its continued aggression in the region. 

The Israeli attack on Sanaa last Thursday resulted in the martyrdom of PM al-Rahawi and several government ministers after occupation forces struck civilian neighborhoods in the capital. Yemeni officials quickly pledged retaliation, vowing that the aggression would not go unanswered. 

Furthermore, Baghaei also criticized the United States for its continued interference in diplomatic efforts, particularly in relation to nuclear negotiations.

"The United States has no good intentions regarding negotiations, and its repeated sabotage of the diplomatic process clearly reflects its lack of commitment to any international agreements," he stated.

Washington’s role under scrutiny

The top Iranian diplomat further denounced the imposition of preconditions on talks, calling it a sign of bad faith and lack of seriousness toward diplomatic resolution.

Turning to the E3, Britain, France, and Germany, Baghaei said they have failed to uphold their obligations under the nuclear deal, adding that they lack any legal authority to accuse Iran of non-compliance.

Reiterating Tehran’s position, Baghaei emphasized that Washington’s repeated sabotage of negotiations highlights its blatant disregard for international commitments.

“Setting preconditions for the talks signals a lack of seriousness and a clear absence of goodwill toward the diplomatic process,” he added.

Europe backed 'Israel’s' strikes on Iranian nuclear sites

In a different context, Baghaei stressed in an interview with The Guardian on Monday that confidential details about Iran’s nuclear sites had been passed on to “Israel,” raising alarm over the agency's credibility and impartiality.

Baghaei emphasized that this issue has exacerbated longstanding tensions between Iran and the IAEA, accusing the agency of being exploited by Western powers to advance their own agendas. “The main concern is the IAEA giving information about our nuclear sites to Israel,” he told The Guardian, adding that such actions have significantly damaged trust.

Addressing Iran’s position within the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Baghaei reiterated that any move to withdraw from the accord is solely within the authority of the Iranian parliament. “If parliament decides to leave the NPT, the government has no legal right to oppose it,” he noted, underscoring that the decision lies with lawmakers, not diplomats.

The possibility of withdrawal has been raised amid rising tensions with the West and ongoing pressure from the IAEA, which Tehran perceives as being influenced by geopolitical interests.

European complicity in 'Israel’s' nuclear strikes

Baghaei accused European governments of actively supporting “Israel’s” military actions against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He emphasized that not only did European countries endorse the attacks, but they also provided intelligence that facilitated the bombings.

Citing June's Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Baghaei linked it directly to a resolution passed by the IAEA’s Board of Governors, one he said was driven by US and European pressure using previous IAEA reports. “That resolution became the pretext for the strike,” he asserted to The Guardian.

This mistrust, Baghaei warned, is deepening as the agency continues what Tehran views as a pattern of politicized conduct.

In a broader critique, Baghaei dismissed Europe’s influence on the world stage, stating that European powers have increasingly aligned themselves with Washington’s policies, particularly under the administration of US President Donald Trump.

“Europe followed Trump’s lead, and in doing so, revealed the decline of its own strategic independence,” he remarked to The Guardian.