Avash News: Esmaeil Baghaei, addressing a weekly news briefing, said that Iran has taught the lesson that “power is your guarantee” to invaders.
“Negotiators and the diplomacy apparatus are part of governance. Threats, pressure, and the publication of caricatures are part of policing in that part of the world. We pursue our work practically.”
When asked about threats made by Trump on social media, whether it is guaranteed that Trump will remain committed, and why Trump does not receive responses on social media, Baghaei said: “We have far more important tasks. We are not supposed to copy the style and methods of the enemy, as a strong country with its own distinctive style.”
Baghaei said that ending the war in Lebanon had been mentioned in the initial draft of the negotiations.
Regarding Trump’s interest in becoming the prime minister of Israel, Baghaei said that the prime minister of Israel may want to become the US president.
The senior official said that the developments that made headlines in recent days were the outcome of several weeks of discussions through a Pakistani mediator.
“A number of countries in the region also provided significant assistance. It is true that we reached a conclusion on a large part of the negotiated issues, but nobody can claim that the signing of such a deal is imminent.”
Baghaei said that the Emir of Qatar has not traveled to Tehran. He also said that the Secretary of the National Supreme Security Council of Qatar traveled to Tehran within the framework of this country’s efforts to advance the memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan.
Baghaei said that there are no plans to travel to Pakistan, and the Pakistani side also has no plans to travel to Iran.
When asked under what conditions the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and whether transiting ships are charged, Baghaei said: “We do not collect tolls. Use words carefully. Iran–Oman measures for preparing a protocol or mechanism for the safe transit of ships are responsible and in accordance with international law. Naturally, services including navigation and measures to preserve the environment of the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Sea of Oman require service fees. Iran and Oman are working responsibly, and we hope that we can reach a conclusion as soon as possible.”
The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that, as part of Iran’s latest diplomatic process between Iran and the US, the deputy foreign minister, Takht Ravanchi, met with the ambassadors of China and Russia.
“The Chinese president presented a four-component proposal for safeguarding peace and stability in the region, which is very valuable,” Baghaei said.
Baghaei said that no deadline has been set by Iran for the end of negotiations. “We have not specified any timetable for finalization. However, we will not spare any effort to reach a deal that is in the national interest as soon as possible. For us, national interest is the criterion for decision-making.”
The official said that the Foreign Minister will not travel to New York, taking into consideration all conditions.
Baghaei said that the next round of negotiations would be held whenever it is concluded that in-person exchange of messages, with the participation of Pakistan, is necessary.
“For now, the necessity of holding in-person meetings between the US and Iran is not felt. Exchanges of messages are conducted through a mediator.”
On the details related to the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, Baghaei said that much of the reported details are generally a combination of speculation and leaks from the negotiating sides. This 14-component MoU is focused on ending the war.
