TEHRAN – Iran said on Tuesday that the threat of military action by the United States is ever-present and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining readiness while continuing diplomatic engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned that U.S. actions against Iran have consistently violated international law, describing Washington’s behavior as criminal. 
He said Tehran’s constant preparedness reflects prudence and foresight, but rejected the notion that it anticipated attacks while negotiating with global powers.
“The possibility of U.S. military aggression has always existed, and it cannot be denied. Measures contrary to international law by the United States against Iran have always been in place,” Baghaei said. 
“Maintaining vigilance is a sign of foresight and wisdom, but we did not expect these events during negotiations.”
Turning to Israeli threats, Baghaei touched on Tel Aviv’s ongoing attempts to harm the Iranian population. “The Israeli regime has spared no effort to target the Iranian people,” he said. 
“It is the Iranian nation that stood firm and prevented the aggressors from achieving their goals.” He emphasized that Iran’s focus remains on strengthening capabilities across multiple sectors to ensure national defense.
Baghaei rejected reports that Russian mediation had persuaded Tehran to reduce tensions with Israel, saying Iran has learned to remain vigilant and cannot rely on Israeli commitments.
On regional developments, Baghaei highlighted Iran’s consultations with Syria, describing the stability of its neighbor as a shared priority. He also condemned Israel for violating ceasefires in Gaza and continuing violence in Lebanon, saying Tehran stands against the expansion of Israeli attacks in the region.
Baghaei’s comments came amid heightened tensions in Latin America. He criticized U.S. threats against Venezuela as illegal and dangerous, describing them as part of a broader pattern of unilateral American intervention under the guise of combating drug trafficking.
“We are facing a unilateral process at the international level. The most important rule of international law is the prohibition of the use of force and respect for state sovereignty. These rules are being violated in Latin American countries under the pretext of drug trafficking,” he said. 
“There is no doubt about the illegal and criminal nature of U.S. actions threatening Venezuela and some other countries in the region.”
Baghaei linked U.S. regional actions to concerns over the influence of countries opposed to American dominance, including Russia, China, and Iran. “These measures are clearly a reaction to the growing influence of anti-U.S. countries in the Caribbean and Latin America,” he said.