TEHRAN — Iran will not allow the end of its war with the United States and Israel to be dictated by the terms of the aggressors, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday, reiterating that the Islamic Republic did not initiate the war and will defend its territorial integrity and national sovereignty with full resolve.
“Of course, we were not the ones who started the war, but we will not allow the end of the war to be based on the conditions of the aggressor,” Baghaei told reporters at his weekly press conference in Tehran.
His remarks came in response to recent statements by President Masoud Pezeshkian that, given Iran’s current military strength, it would be preferable to bring the war to an end.
Baghaei said the president’s comments had been misinterpreted by some media outlets and political currents.
“The official officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have spoken very clearly about the seriousness and decisiveness in defending Iran’s territory,” Baghaei said. “We will show no leniency toward the aggressor parties.”
He stressed that Iran’s leadership and state institutions remain united in defending the country and rejecting excessive demands by the aggressors.
“There is no doubt that the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran at all levels is determined and serious in defending Iran, and under no circumstances is it ready to surrender to the excessive demands of the aggressor,” he said.
Baghaei also defended Iran’s right to respond to countries that facilitate military attacks against it, saying the presence of U.S. military assets and facilities in other countries could make those countries participants in aggression.
Addressing reports that several U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft had left Bulgaria, he said Iran has previously made clear that allowing such facilities to support U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran is contrary to international law.
“We have no problem with the Bulgarian people,” Baghaei said, but added that providing bases, facilities and equipment for attacks against Iran constitutes support for aggression.
“There is no reason for any country to be concerned on our part, unless they have placed their bases, facilities, and equipment at the disposal of the aggressor parties for an unlawful act,” he said.
“It is Iran’s right to target the origin and source of any aggressive action against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Baghaei added. “This is part of international law, and as we have shown, we will certainly have no leniency in defending Iran.”
Baghaei also rejected claims by U.S. officials and Western media that the Strait of Hormuz has been fully reopened and that large volumes of oil are moving through the strategic waterway.
Asked about figures ranging from 5 million to 9 million barrels per day and, in some reports, 16 million or 17 million barrels, Baghaei said the wide discrepancy itself demonstrates the unreliability of the claims.
“Wise people will understand,” he said. “The figures themselves, ranging from 5 million to 16 million, are very different figures.”
He characterized the reports as part of a “psychological war” and “media war” being conducted by Iran’s opponents.
“There is no such thing,” he said, attributing the disruption in shipping to insecurity imposed on the region and the Strait of Hormuz by the United States and Israel since March 1.
Baghaei also addressed mounting U.S. economic pressure, saying Iran will use all available multilateral mechanisms to counter sanctions and an economic war.
He said the latest U.S. measures represent another attempt to force Iran into submission, stating that decades of sanctions have failed to achieve that objective.
“Look at the history of these five decades,” he said. “Titles should not fool us. From ‘crippling sanctions’ to ‘maximum pressure’ to ‘economic war,’ all pursue one goal: to force submission on a nation that has decided to stand on its own feet, that has decided not to compromise on its rights.”
Iran, he added, will make full use of institutions such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS to confront economic restrictions.
Baghaei also criticized efforts to pressure other countries into limiting their trade with Iran, saying such measures undermine national sovereignty and the foundations of international trade.
He said many countries have expressed concern to Tehran over the consequences of Washington’s approach, adding that forcing states to sever economic relations with another country without a basis in international law represents a broader challenge to the international system.
Baghaei warned that any country cooperating with Washington in aggressive measures against Iran would face consequences.
“The necessary warnings have been given and continue to be given, because any complicity with America in advancing its aggressive actions against Iran will certainly have its own consequences,” he said.
“The naval blockade of Iran is an example of an aggressive act. The escalation of this situation will have its own consequences. We are not helpless in the face of such aggressive actions.”
He added that Iran will use all available multilateral capacities to counter economic sanctions, while warning that forcing countries to sever legitimate trade relations represents a broader threat to international trade and national sovereignty.
He said U.S. strikes have caused significant damage to Iran’s energy infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities, but that much of the damage has already been repaired through domestic efforts to reduce pressure on the population.
He criticized the performance of the United Nations and Security Council, saying their failure to respond effectively to aggression has undermined confidence in the international system.
“The function of the Security Council, the organization and the United Nations itself has been called into question,” Baghaei said, warning that countries should prevent the UN from suffering the fate of the League of Nations through indifference toward violations by major powers.