News- Middle East: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday said the country has “clear expectations” from Russia regarding the Israeli-American aggression, based on the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Tehran and Moscow.

“It is only natural that Russia — as a country with long-standing and friendly relations with Iran — holds a special position at this critical juncture,” Baghaei said during his weekly press conference on Monday, 11 days into the Israel-US war on Iran.

Russia is not only one of the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and a member of the United Nations Security Council, but it is also an influential neighbor, to whom regional developments are of great importance, the spokesperson noted

“Iran, as a country that holds a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Russia, has clear expectations and positions regarding this country’s active role — both on the multilateral level, especially within the United Nations Security Council, and on the regional level,” he said.

Therefore, he added, communications with Russia and visits to Moscow are of strategic importance, referring to foreign minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Moscow.

“At the same time, we are consulting with other countries — even those with whom we do not have formal diplomatic relations. We believe this matter goes beyond a single country or a few specific players. Military aggression against Iran’s territory is a violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and all the principles of international humanitarian law.”

Therefore, Baghaei added, every government has the duty and responsibility to correctly recognize these developments and, in accordance with its weight and position, take the necessary measures to counter this blatant injustice and dangerous breach of law.

Araghchi to return home from Moscow

He also informed that the foreign minister will return to the country from Moscow.

“Regarding the trip to Geneva, in a situation where our country is under brutal military aggression, all our efforts are focused on defending the country, ending this aggression, holding the aggressors accountable, and ensuring that such crimes do are not repeated.”

Araghchi’s trip to Geneva was carried out with the aim of demanding responsible action from European countries, he noted.

European countries, as parties to the JCPOA, especially France and the United Kingdom, which are permanent members of the UN Security Council, have an obligation to take action to prevent this blatant violation of the law, he pointed out.

“Our position on nuclear issues is very clear: we have never demanded anything beyond our rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and this is our legal right,” Baghaei said.

Until last week, one of the questions was whether the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran was carried out with the knowledge or support of the United States, Baghaei said.

“Today, there is no doubt that this military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran was carried out with the coordination, and support of the United States.”

Therefore, the US is an accomplice in all the crimes that have occurred in these days, he added.

For Iranians, Baghaei said, US aggression on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, which have been under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and its complete and continuous supervision, is a completely illegal and criminal act.

“No one in the world and no international authority can justify this aggression in any way,” he asserted.

Outrageous accusation

The accusation that Iran is attempting to acquire weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, is an outrageously unjust allegation against a country that has itself been a victim of these weapons during the Iran-Iraq War, he stated.

Undoubtedly, the very same countries that today accuse Iran of such an attempt are the primary sources of these weapons, Baghaei noted.

Baghaei reiterated that Iran, as a nation that upholds diplomatic etiquette and ethical principles, demonstrated during the eight-year Iraq-imposed war that it neither employs prohibited weapons nor attacks civilian targets.

On the other hand, Baghaei noted, the Zionist regime intentionally targets civilians, children, hospitals, ambulances, and residential areas, going so far as to issue evacuation orders for entire cities.

Betrayal of diplomacy

The world, the Iranian nation, history, and future generations will never forget that Iran was subjected to military aggression in the middle of a diplomatic process, with only two days left until the sixth round of diplomatic talks, he said.

“This act represents a betrayal of diplomacy, a betrayal of the principle of dialogue, a betrayal of human morality and civilization, as well as a rejection of the progress made in international relations and international law over the past eight decades since World War II,” he said.

Adherence to policy of good neighborliness

Regarding Iran’s policy with respect to neighboring countries, the foreign ministry spokesman affirmed that the Islamic Republic has consistently maintained a good neighborliness policy towards all its neighbors and naturally expects reciprocal behavior.

He emphasized that neighboring countries are well aware of the fundamental principle in international law that no nation is permitted to provide its territory, facilities, or airspace for acts of aggression or aggression by third parties against another country.

This principle, he stated, should serve as the foundation for the conduct of all neighboring nations at all times.

Source: Press TV