UNSC fails to issue a single resolution to end Gaza genocide, says Iran

In a stark reflection of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the spokesperson criticized the international community for its inability to act responsibly in the face of the Israeli regime’s continuous crimes in the region.

Addressing journalists in a weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, Baqaei described the horrifying events in Gaza as not only a major news topic but also a moral shame for the 21st century.

He pointed out that Gaza is currently enduring relentless bombings and killings from weapons supplied by the US and several Western states, including Germany. Amidst this violence, the besieged area is also grappling with severe shortages of food, water, and medicine, he added.

According to the Iranian diplomat the number of innocent lives lost due to imposed famine and lack of basic necessities continues to rise day by day, with these atrocities representing one of the most unprecedented humanitarian disasters in this century. The events unfolding in Gaza will definitely be recorded as one of the most severe examples of genocide in human history, he added.

Baqaei also lamented that the global community has failed to fulfill its responsibilities, unable to issue even a simple resolution requesting an end to the genocide and assistance for the vulnerable Palestinian people.

US hand-in-gloves with Israeli regime

Regarding the US President Donald Trump’s claim that he does not believe a genocide is occurring in Gaza, Baqaei said the US administrations have always shown absolute and unconditional support for the actions of the Israeli regime. For this reason, from the perspective of the people in the region, especially the Palestinian people, the United States is considered complicit with the regime in committing crimes against humanity and genocide, the Iranian diplomat said.

Reacting to last week’s visit by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Gaza, Baqaei said the visit was a symbolic gesture rather than a meaningful action, and clearly demonstrated the U.S. role in covering up the crimes of the Israeli regime.

No IAEA inspector is in Iran

Further in his presser, Baqaei said that no inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are currently in Iran.

He said that Iran’s cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, aligns with the resolution passed by the Iranian Parliament in June, which President Pezeshkian’s administration and the Foreign Ministry are committed to following.

The spokesperson was referring to the resolution that suspended Tehran’s cooperation with the agency following strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Baqaei reiterated Iran’s opposition to the IAEA’s politicized performance and its emphasis that the agency should focus on its technical responsibilities, free from political influence.  

Iran remains a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Safeguards Agreement, committing to its obligations while still expressing concerns over the IAEA’s unprofessional approach, he stressed.

Baqaei meanwhile said that the deputy director general of the IAEA will travel to Iran in the coming days.

Britain unauthorized to question Iran’s nuclear program

Reacting to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy commenting on Iran’s uranium enrichment program, the spokesperson said that the British official is not in a position to raise doubts about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, and that Iran considers such remarks merely a form of political posturing and intervention.

He added that if Lammy considers the IAEA to be a competent and credible authority, he must naturally accept its official reports.

The IAEA has not recorded any deviation in Iran’s peaceful nuclear program in any of its reports, Baqaei said.

Therefore, he added, such statements reflect more on their own specific international policies. These remarks lead Iran to conclude that the three European countries, namely Britain, France, and Germany, no longer truly believe in their membership in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said the spokesperson.

If they did, they would refer to the text of the JCPOA and also to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which confirms and acknowledges Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, including the right to enrichment, he added.

Iran’s enrichment right

Commenting on the ‘Menara’ nuclear initiative proposed by former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the spokesperson said it is natural that in a country where the nuclear issue and related matters have been on the official diplomatic agenda for nearly two decades, scholars, specialists, and experienced individuals concerned in this field are active and seek to present their views and proposals.

Authorities have always emphasized that the issue of enrichment in Iran, as an integral part of the rights of the Islamic Republic under the NPT, is of great importance, Baqaei said, adding that any proposal that can ensure and guarantee this important component will be open for consideration.

Iran-Europe talks

Further in his presser, Baqaei pointed to Iran’s discussions with E3, namely Britain, France, and Germany, which took place last month in Istanbul, Turkey.

He said that the Istanbul talks focused on Iran’s nuclear issue, and that the participating parties agreed to hold more talks in future. The time and venue for the next round of discussions have not been determined yet, he added.

The spokesperson also said that the Iranian deputy foreign ministers and their counterparts from the relevant countries are in continuous contact, emphasizing that Iran has remained seriously engaged in every negotiation process and has truly participated with a serious and constructive approach.

Iran-Pakistan ties

Commenting on the latest two-day visit by President Masoud Pezeshkian to Pakistan, which wrapped up on Sunday, the spokesperson said that the decision on signing a free trade agreement between the two countries was major achievement of that trip.

In response to IRNA, Baqaei said, during the president’s visit, 12 documents were signed by Iranian and Pakistan officials to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, tourism, customs, and culture, among others.

Iran capable of standing against sanctions

The spokesperson pointed to the latest US sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and shipping companies and the measures’ impact on the country’s economy, saying that the US action is absolutely contrary to international law and disrupts the principle of free trade among nations. Over the years, Iranians have learned how to protect their country despite the illegal and unjust pressures and sanctions.

Imprisoned Iranians in Azerbaijan

The spokesperson highlighted Azerbaijan’s treatment of imprisoned Iranian citizens, describing it as a very important issue.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry received numerous reports about the mistreatment of detained Iranian citizens in Azerbaijan, and a recent case was truly shocking, he said.

We have conveyed our objections and concerns through multiple notes, both in Baku and Tehran, to the relevant authorities in Azerbaijan, Baqaei said, adding that Iran’s consular section is also seriously pursuing this matter.

He further said that Iran expects Azerbaijan to appropriately treat its citizens in accordance with human rights principles, which is a completely justified and logical expectation.

Iran has a prisoner transfer agreement with Azerbaijan, under which Iranian convicts can be extradited, he said, adding that this matter is on the agenda of the Foreign Ministry in its interactions with the government of Azerbaijan.

Compensation for attacks

Regarding the issue of seeking compensation raised by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and the reasons behind the move, Baqaei said that the foreign minister had emphasized that any future interactions and negotiations – if the conditions are met – will certainly be different from the situation before June 13 when Israel waged its war of aggression on Iran, which the United States also joined.

The circumstances have changed significantly, and in any possible negotiation, the issue of holding the US accountable and demanding compensation for the military aggression against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities will undoubtedly be one of the main agenda items.