Iran defends regional policies, warns of escalating aggression in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 12:43

Iran defends its strike on the US base in Qatar as an act of self-defense, warns against escalating Israeli aggression in Gaza, and condemns Western nuclear policies, while ruling out new negotiations without firm guarantees.

Listen

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei speaking in a press conference on October 20, 2024. (MFA.IR)

The Iranian Armed Forces’ attack on the US Al-Udeid military base in Qatar was a legitimate act of self-defense in response to hostile actions against Iranian policies, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei affirmed on Monday.

Regardless, Baghaei emphasized that Iran remains committed to good-neighborly relations and maintains strong ties with regional countries, stressing, “We will not allow third parties to distort our regional relations,” he stressed.

The Iranian attack on Al-Udeid Air Base on June 23 was a retaliatory response to the US bombing of three nuclear sites in Tehran, which ultimately led to a ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump that ended the 12-day Israeli war on Iran.

The strike likely hit a geodesic dome housing American equipment used for secure communications, an analysis of satellite images by The Associated Press on Friday showed.

On Iran's nuclear file

Addressing nuclear negotiations, Baghaei criticized Western actions, declaring that Iran does not recognize the legitimacy of reactivating the snapback mechanism, citing European non-compliance with the nuclear agreement.

He added that Germany's hosting of US nuclear weapons violates its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of "bias, selectivity, and unprofessional conduct."

Baghaei confirmed that no new date or location has been set for nuclear talks, nor any meeting between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Enrique Mora.

"Iran was serious in previous negotiations, but the other side committed aggression against us and proved its lack of seriousness. We will not enter a new diplomatic process unless we are assured that such violations will not be repeated," he said.

He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy that protects the interests of the Iranian people but ruled out any engagement in talks that lack clear outcomes.

Israeli crimes in Gaza and international complicity

Turning to the situation in Gaza, Baghaei denounced the continued aggression by the Israeli occupation, holding the United States and the lack of accountability for the entity responsible for the ongoing massacres.

“The continuation of Israeli crimes against unarmed civilians in Gaza stems from the absence of international accountability and US support for the occupying entity,” he stated.

He warned that regional and Islamic states bear significant responsibility due to their inaction, adding that "If the region and the international community do not take decisive measures to halt Israeli crimes, the fire will not remain confined to a single area."