Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Sunday, Baqaei put the blame for the escalation of tensions between Iran and the US on Washington.
“Creating tension has become ingrained in American mischief. It is not Iran that is interfering in various affairs of the American people, but the US is sticking to the policy of intervention against Iran and (other) regional countries,” he added.
Interpreting the US’ talk of diplomacy as dictation, the spokesman said, “The one responsible for creating tensions in the region is the US, not Iran. We must show that we are so strong that will break the hands of any aggressor.”
He noted that the Foreign Ministry of Iran has documented the cases of US crimes against the Iranian people and has even brought cases at the International Court of Justice against the US for violating the UN Charter.
A series of US measures have resulted in the martyrdom of Iranian citizens, the spokesman said, pointing to an endless litany of harms caused by the US sanctions.
In comments on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei referred to the recent sedition and riots that caused public distress and inflicted damage on the country, characterizing the nature of this sedition as American.
The Leader also described the statements of the US president—who referred to the destructive rioters and murderers as the Iranian nation—as a great slander against the people, stating, "The US president openly encouraged the rioters, and behind the scenes, the US and the Zionist regime provided them with assistance; therefore, we consider the US president a criminal, both for the casualties and damage, and for the slander he leveled against the Iranian nation."