Asked about alleged false operations in Turkey, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Cyprus that have been attributed to Iran, Baqaei said at a weekly press conference on Monday that Iran has consistently emphasized its commitment to maintaining good relations with all neighboring countries.
He emphasized that preserving friendly ties, including respect for national sovereignty, is a fundamental principle for Iran.
The spokesman noted that when the territory of a country is used to launch attacks against Iranians, Iran has an inherent right to respond according to international law. He insisted that Iran's defensive actions should not be interpreted as hostility.
Regarding the allegations of Iran’s role in attacks on Azerbaijan Republic, Turkey, and Cyprus, Baqaei asserted that such projectiles were not launched by Iran.
He added that officials in Cyprus have indicated that no such incidents occurred.
Iran has always warned against false flag operations, he said, noting that actions by the Israeli regime have a history of such tactics.
Recently, Baqaei added, there have been acts of sabotage in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He called on countries to carefully consider developments, stressing that haste in diplomatic relations is not advisable.
The spokesperson also mentioned a recent conversation between the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan Republic, expressing hope that Iran's positive approach would be taken into account in any statements.
He finally reiterated that any attack against Iran would elicit a legitimate and lawful response, regardless of its origin.
The US and the Zionist regime launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran following the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.
The attacks have involved extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran, causing significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.
In response, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting American and Israeli positions in the occupied territories and at regional bases with waves of missiles and drones.