Iran warns any aggression on it would be met with retaliation
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Iran rejects allegations over involvement in Yemen, warns against activation of the UN snapback mechanism, and confirms readiness for resuming indirect nuclear talks with the US.
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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei (Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei firmly rejected accusations of Iranian involvement in the activities of the Yemeni Armed Forces, labeling the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday, Baqaei said the claims were intended to distract global attention from the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Iranian diplomat underscored that the real proxy force in the region is "Israel", which, he said, continues to spread instability and violence across the Middle East.
Tehran says Yemeni actions are in solidarity with Palestinians
He further emphasized that the Yemeni people's actions are based on their own humanitarian and religious solidarity with Palestinians and their right to defend themselves against repeated US aggression, not directives from Tehran.
Baqaei underscored that "Iran neither has nor needs a proxy in the region."
The spokesperson was reacting to threats issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed a tough response to Yemen and Iran over the Yemeni Armed Forces' missile attack on "Israel's" main Ben Gurion Airport.
In a video published on Telegram, Netanyahu said "Israel" had "acted against" Yemen in the past and "will act in the future."
"It will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs," he added, without elaborating.
Later on the social media platform X, Netanyahu said "Israel" would also respond to Iran at "a time and place of our choosing."
Iran warns any hostile act will be met with force
Baqaei issued a stern warning, underlining that any aggression against Iran originating from any country's territory would be considered a legitimate target for Iranian retaliation.
He rejected what he described as "Israeli pretexts", saying they lack logic and credibility.
He also accused "Israel" of working to fragment Syria, highlighting that it has destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure.
The diplomat called on the international community to take urgent action to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression on Syria, warning of broader regional consequences if such actions go unchecked.
Iranian response to nuclear allegations
The Iranian spokesperson reiterated his country's commitment to international norms, specifically regarding its nuclear program.
As a long-standing member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has pursued a peaceful nuclear agenda since the 1970s, Baqaei asserted.
He stressed that Iran's activities are fully compliant with international law and conducted under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“Iran's principled position on the use of nuclear energy is based on logic and international law,” he affirmed.
"There is no such thing at all. Iran's nuclear program is under the supervision of IAEA inspectors and no deviations have been observed," Baqaei said.
Read more: Iran reaffirms to UN chief Guterres right to uranium enrichment
Iran warns of consequences if snapback mechanism is activated
In a related context, Baqaei indicated that there is no legal justification for activating the snapback mechanism, known as the trigger mechanism, against Iran.
He warned that such a move would have consequences “for all involved parties.”
The trigger mechanism, referenced in paragraph 11 of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, allows parties to the nuclear agreement to restore UN sanctions on Iran and terminate the accord. This provision remains valid until October 18, 2025.
Iran remains open to indirect talks with US, awaits Oman’s signal
Baqaei also reiterated Iran’s readiness to resume indirect talks with the United States, saying that Tehran is awaiting a formal signal from the Omani mediators. The remarks come amid a pause in diplomatic engagement, following recent developments regarding Iran’s nuclear file and Western positions.
E3 meeting canceled after delay in Iran-US talks
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also confirmed the cancellation of a scheduled meeting between Iran and the E3 countries (France, Germany, and the UK), citing the delay in the planned fourth round of indirect talks with Washington. The meeting had been expected to take place in Rome.
Iranian sources told Al Mayadeen on Thursday that the postponement came in light of the conflicting positions taken by the US administration regarding the talks.
They added that the postponement was due to Washington’s attempt to alter the general framework of the talks, which had been previously agreed upon.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a new date for the fourth round of talks will be set "depending on the US approach."
"US sanctions on Iran during the nuclear talks are not helping the sides to resolve the nuclear dispute through diplomacy," the official told Reuters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that "on Iran's part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution."
"In fact, we are more determined than ever to achieve a just and balanced deal: guaranteeing an end to sanctions, and creating confidence that Iran's nuclear program will forever remain peaceful while ensuring that Iranian rights are fully respected," the top Iranian diplomat asserted in a post on X.
Together with Omani and U.S. interlocutors, we have decided to postpone the 4th round of talks for logistical and technical reasons.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 1, 2025
On Iran's part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution.
In fact, we are more determined than ever to achieve a…
On its part, the US said it expects the next round of talks with Iran to take place soon.
"We expect another round of talks that will take place in the near future," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters, saying that the weekend meeting had never been confirmed.
Resumed diplomacy
Since April 12, Tehran and Washington have engaged in three rounds of dialogue, the most significant contact on the nuclear issue since Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
These recent talks were initiated after Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei in March, calling for renewed discussions while simultaneously warning of potential military action if diplomacy did not succeed.
The tension surrounding Iran’s nuclear program has intensified since the US exit from the JCPOA, which had provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities.
Iran remained in compliance for a year following the withdrawal but gradually began scaling back its commitments.
Western governments have accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran firmly rejects.
Iranian officials maintain that the country’s nuclear program is strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.
Read more: Diplomatic sources deny US reports about details of Iran-US deal
