Tehran dismisses Trump’s rhetoric, demands 'actions not words'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 14:41

Iran's government spokeswoman says Iran does not shape its foreign policy on rhetoric, but concrete action.

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Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani attends a ministerial meeting, in Iran, on 7 September 2024. (Mehr News Agency)

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani responded on Wednesday to recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Tehran does not shape its diplomatic policy based on “rhetoric” but on “concrete actions.”

“We do not necessarily shape our diplomatic agenda solely based on rhetoric,” Mohajerani said during a cabinet meeting.

“Diplomatic matters become meaningful when there are concrete actions behind them," she added.

Referring to the impact of sanctions on Iran’s economy, she underscored that the country’s ongoing economic imbalances and fuel challenges stem directly from the “harshest and most brutal sanctions” imposed by the United States and its allies for nearly 15 years.

“If today we are talking about gasoline, imbalances, or other economic issues, it is because of the severity of the sanctions,” she said.

“Real engagement is not like that; they must show some operational action other than bombing for us to understand that they are truly interested in engagement.”

On the issue of Iran’s participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, she stated that the decision not to attend was a collective one.

“Our conduct in the international arena is not a matter on which only the government decides,” she said.

“The government’s views and those of other bodies were presented, and the overall conclusion was that the president would not attend.”

Iran to cooperate with IAEA based on Parliament law: Eslami

Meanwhile, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, emphasized that Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be based on the law passed by the Iranian Parliament.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a weekly cabinet session on Wednesday, Eslami said Iran’s interaction with the IAEA will continue to conform with the law passed by the Iranian Parliament.

He noted that the authority assessing such compliance is the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), which would judge on the basis of reports provided by the AEOI.

Eslami further rebuked the UN nuclear agency for its refusal to condemn the US-Israeli military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and its failure to fulfill legal duties.

Construction of large-scale nuclear power plants

Elsewhere in his remarks, Eslami pointed to a memorandum of understanding inked between Iran and Russia for the construction of large-scale nuclear power plants, noting, “With special emphasis on the previous contracts, it is agreed that a number of eight large-scale power plants will be set up in Iran."

The second part of the contract is related to the small-scale power plants that would be constructed across the country, Eslami added.

Araghchi: Trump fed fake line about Iran’s nuclear program

Yesterday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the American president, accusing him of spreading lies about Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and being manipulated by “Israeli deception.”

In a post on X, Araghchi wrote that it was “more than clear” Trump had been “badly fed the fake line” that Iran’s nuclear activities were nearing weaponization — a claim he labeled a “BIG LIE.” He emphasized that even US intelligence agencies had confirmed there was “zero proof” to support such allegations.

“The real bully of the Middle East, Mr. President, is the same parasitic actor that has long been bullying and milking the United States,” Araghchi declared, referring to "Israel".

'President of Peace or President of War?'

Araghchi further accused Trump of hypocrisy, claiming he was seeking to portray himself as a “President of Peace” while actively supporting war and aggression.

“One can hardly be branded as President of Peace while provoking endless wars and aligning with war criminals,” Araghchi said. “Mr. Trump can either be a President of Peace or a President of War, but he cannot be both.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry echoed this position, saying that Washington’s calls for dialogue were inconsistent with its record of military intervention and support for Israeli crimes against Palestinians.

Despite condemning Trump’s policies, Araghchi reiterated that Iran remains open to diplomacy rooted in mutual respect.