In an interview with South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei said that Tehran has received messages from mediators regarding the ongoing US-Israeli military aggression, but its stance remains clear and defensive.
He underscored that the Iranian Armed Forces and the entire nation are completely concentrated on protecting the country against relentless military aggression.
Baqaei noted that Iran had been attacked twice in the past nine months during ongoing diplomatic processes with the United States, describing the February 28 assault as a direct breach of diplomacy, even though Oman had acted as a mediator.
He added that US claims of imminent Iranian threats or nuclear concerns are unfounded, as Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful, and said the war imposed on Iran is based on the United States’ arbitrary ambitions rather than legitimate security concerns.
Regarding conditions for ending the war, Baqaei reiterated that Iran did not initiate the conflict, which he described as an illegal and aggressive war by the United States, and emphasized that Washington must stop the hostilities while Iran continues to defend itself.
On the topic of mediation, the spokesman confirmed that Iran has received messages from multiple countries, including Pakistan, conveying US requests for diplomacy. However, he stressed that past experience shows the United States is not serious about dialogue, and any diplomatic proposals must be assessed carefully.
Answering questions about the US military presence in the region, Baqaei said Iranian forces are prepared for all scenarios and are determined to respond effectively to any aggressive actions, ensuring that any attempts at attack will be repelled.
Regarding the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, he explained that Iran is obligated under international law to protect its national security. Non-hostile vessels may transit the strait after coordination with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage, while ships associated with aggressor states or parties may not be permitted to exploit the waterway for military purposes.
Baqaei concluded by noting that the consequences of the US-Israeli military campaign extend beyond Iran, impacting regional security, global shipping, and the world economy, and stressed that the international community must hold the United States accountable for its illegal war against Iran.
The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked 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.