- 12 hours ago
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that there are no talks or negotiations between Iran and the United States and rejected mediation efforts.
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00:04At a time when there is massive speculation across the globe on what is happening in West Asia, in the
00:12Persian Gulf, is there mediation, are there talks between Iran and the United States of America at such a point,
00:19we have the most important interview.
00:21Joining me in an exclusive conversation is Mr. Ismail Baghai. He's the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
00:29Iran, joining me from Tehran.
00:31Mr. Baghai, thank you so much for doing this. Let's begin with the biggest question that everybody is now asking.
00:37Are you in talks? Is Iran in talks with the US, direct or indirect?
00:44Yeah, thank you. As we have made it clear yesterday, there is no talks or negotiations between Iran and the
00:53United States, as it has not been such a negotiation for the past 25 days of their illegal war against
01:03Iran.
01:03And you see, we have a very catastrophic experience, I should say, with the United States diplomacy. We were attacked
01:13two times within a span of nine months, when we were in the middle of a negotiating process to resolve
01:22the nuclear issue.
01:23So this was a betrayal of diplomacy. It is a very famous phrase in Iran right now, because it happened
01:33not once, but twice. So no one can trust the United States diplomacy.
01:41So our position is very clear on what they have claimed. Right now, our brave armed forces are focused on
01:51defending Iran's territory and sovereignty against this brutal illegal war.
01:56Right, Mr. Baghai, this is a very, very serious situation when it comes to the global economy. The world is
02:04watching what's happening in the Strait of Hormuz. In such a scenario, I'm just asking if there is a possibility
02:11of having mediators maybe get involved so that there is some trust factor in talks.
02:19So can we look at indirect talks between Iran and U.S. at this point?
02:26You can ask Omanifari minister. He can talk about his experience of mediating between Iran and the United States.
02:37So I think mediators, the institution of mediation also was badly betrayed by the United States. Look, I understand that
02:48the world economy is impacted by what is going on in our region, but this is not our fault.
02:56You are concerned about the price of oil, the price of groceries, but we are concerned about the life of
03:05our citizens.
03:06Our people are being brutally killed and maimed by the United States and Israel only in a single accident in
03:15a single case of attack on 28 February.
03:19More than 170 innocent kids were slaughtered in the city of Minah.
03:25So we are defending ourselves what the impact, the consequences for the world economy is directly because of the United
03:36States and Israel reckless illegal war they have imposed on Iran and on the whole region.
03:42Right. We will get to that. More importantly, at this point in time also is clarity on mediation.
03:49So let me get all of those questions first and then we'll come to the fact that who started the
03:55war and why.
03:58Mr. Bagai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the GCC countries absolutely now worried about power plants, energy infrastructure.
04:07Has Israel's energy infrastructure been struck? What's the position on the five day moratorium announced by President Trump?
04:17So you see, threatening to attack Iran's civilian infrastructure by itself is a war crime.
04:30Now, the United States is expanding the war into the whole region.
04:36In the first place, the United States used the aerospace, the military bases, the logistical assets that are scattered around
04:48Iran in the Persian Gulf countries.
04:50So in a way, the United States and Israel dragged the whole region into the war of choice against Iran.
04:57We are defending ourselves in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
05:02We have called on our neighbors, please do not let the United States and Israel abuse your soil, abuse your
05:09territory, abuse their military bases to attack Iran.
05:12So under international law, we are entitled to defend ourselves because, very simple, the territories, the military bases that are
05:24located in the Persian Gulf countries are used by the United States to attack Iran.
05:28So it had no intention of engaging or involving in any sort of hostility with its neighbors.
05:39We have been in a friendly mode with all of these countries.
05:46We are committed to continue our friendly relations with all of these countries.
05:49But at the same time, their territories are being abused by the United States to attack Iran.
05:56So under international law, do we have any other choice other than fighting back?
06:02Well, that's a very important point to make.
06:03And your response has so much to unpack.
06:06But before that, I go back to mediation.
06:08Pakistan has proposed Islamabad as the venue.
06:11I ask you this again.
06:13Is there a room for mediation at this point in time?
06:17Iran is at an advantageous position.
06:19Should you not grab it and go in for mediation?
06:22Can Pakistan be the venue?
06:24And if it is Pakistan, why?
06:27And if not, why not?
06:29I cannot deny the fact that there have been many countries in the region and outside that have reached out
06:37to Iran to mediate between Iran and the United States.
06:42There have been messages going around for some days.
06:49We have received messages requesting a sort of negotiations.
06:57We have responded to those messages.
07:00Our message is very clear.
07:03We continue to defend ourselves.
07:06Look, look at the facts.
07:08Iran is under constant bombardment and missiles by the United States and Israel.
07:13So their claim of diplomacy or mediation is not credible because they have started this war and they are continuing
07:22to attack Iran.
07:23So can anyone possibly believe that their claim of diplomacy and mediation is really credible?
07:34Pakistan is our neighbor.
07:36We have good relation with Pakistan as we have with other neighbors.
07:40partners.
07:41And we think they have good intention as other countries have also demonstrated their willingness to try to help.
07:51So our Minister of Foreign Affairs have been in contact with his counter Pakistani counterparts.
07:59He has been also in contact with some other neighboring countries, ministers of foreign affairs.
08:06So these kind of talks are going on between Iran and its neighbors and other friendly countries.
08:13We understand that the countries of the region, the neighboring countries are concerned about the consequences.
08:20And everyone is trying to somehow help the situation come to a sort of calmness.
08:28Right.
08:28Mr. Bakai, again, I'll stick with mediation.
08:31You're saying there is going to be no mediation, but should there be one?
08:34We are looking at a world where conversations have taken place through back channels.
08:39And I'm sure there will be a point in time when both sides or many sides will have to come
08:44to the talking table.
08:45Should that be the case?
08:47Who's going to be the negotiating voice from Iran?
08:51Because where is the name of the Iranian Speaker of the Parliament coming from?
08:56Is this an American plant?
09:00Where is, what is Mr. Araqchi's position here?
09:03Who is mediating and talking to the world on behalf of Iran?
09:07The world wants to.
09:09As I said, it's quite natural that many countries are expressing their readiness to,
09:16to help the situation ease.
09:20Pakistan is one of them.
09:23The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and he's doing his job as responsible for Iran's
09:31foreign diplomacy.
09:34The system is absolutely coordinated among itself, and we make related decisions as it is necessary and at appropriate time.
09:49But for the time being, as I said, we are focused 100% on defending Iran's sovereignty and territory against
10:00these brutal attacks.
10:02Okay.
10:03President Trump has, I mean, picked up the phone and spoke with Prime Minister Modi.
10:08It just happened a while ago.
10:09And both tweeted about it.
10:12The ambassador over here, US ambassador, said that both have spoken about the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
10:17I'm reading his tweet out, including the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
10:22Prime Minister Modi, again, in a post on X again, has said that ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz, he
10:30first said India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest.
10:34Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the world.
10:39We agree to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability.
10:43Your first reaction, Mr. Bagai, on the fact that US and India have spoken.
10:49Is US looking at India to use its good offices with Iran and Israel?
10:56I wish everyone who has a chance to talk to the United States should really grab that opportunity
11:04to remind the United States that their war is illegal, is criminal, and they are responsible for what they call
11:14the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and all the economic consequences for the whole international community.
11:20So I think every country, every member of the United Nations, has a direct responsibility to call a spade.
11:31This is an illegal war imposed on Iran, imposed on the whole region, and the United States must be held
11:38accountable for the consequences of this brutal war on the whole world economy.
11:44As far as India is concerned, we have good relations with India. Our ministers have been in close contact for
11:52the past few days.
11:55And I think, as you know, there has been some Indian vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
12:03We have made it clear that the measures taken by Iran is because of the war situation.
12:12Iran, as a coastal state of the Strait of Hormuz, cannot allow its enemies, the aggressors, to abuse these straits
12:21for furthering their act of aggression against Iran.
12:27The evidence that the Strait of Hormuz is not shut down is that many vessels have been able to pass
12:36through the Strait of Hormuz after coordination with Iranian authorities to make sure that their passage would be safe and
12:42secure.
12:44America says that there was an imminent threat of an Iranian attack.
12:49What do you make of that? Because this happened during Araki's meetings in Geneva with his counterparts.
12:56What's the evidence? What has America provided? What was this imminent threat that America is talking about?
13:02And you know, immediately after that, the Pentagon rejected that claim.
13:09I think they know very well that there was no imminent threat from Iran to the United States.
13:17They have changed their claims. They have changed their excuses for attacking Iran several times.
13:26First, they said there was an imminent threat. Then it was because of the so-called Iranian nuclear weapon.
13:34While in June, they had claimed that they obliterated Iran's nuclear program.
13:40And you know, Iran's nuclear program is absolutely safeguarded by the IAEA.
13:45There is no single evidence from the IAEA indicating that Iran's nuclear program is weaponized or is going to be
13:56weaponized.
13:56So the whole war is based on a big lie or several lies.
14:05Imminent threat from Iran. Then they said Iranian nuclear weapon.
14:08Then then Marco Rubio said we had to attack Iran because we had information that Israel would attack Iran.
14:19So we had to preempt.
14:20So it is a whimsical war based on lies.
14:25And again, as you as you have noted, they have not for the rules of engagement.
14:31They have said, for instance, that there would be no mercy, no quarters.
14:35And these are a clear intention of committing war crime.
14:41So this is not only a brutal war against the Iranian nation, against the civilizational state,
14:47but also against the whole region, against the fabric of international law,
14:52against the tenets of the United Nations Charter.
14:55That's why we as Iran, we believe that each and every member of the United Nations Charter has responsibility to
15:04stand up against this injustice.
15:06Otherwise, I think there would be no remnant of international law or the normative system that has been created after
15:20a second world war.
15:21Mr. Bagai, is this not a moment in diplomacy where you are at an advantage and you should grab that
15:28opportunity to maybe have some relief and reprieve for your own people and for your military?
15:36Because yes, they have taken down a lot of your aircraft.
15:39They've taken down a lot of your ships.
15:42So isn't this that moment?
15:43I ask you this is because if things turn and it goes towards a downward spiral, Iran will have a
15:51lot, a lot to suffer as well.
15:55As I said, look at the facts.
15:58The fact is that they are continuing to attack Iran.
16:03Do we have to stop?
16:05Did we start this war of aggression?
16:08No.
16:09They started this war and they are continuing this war of aggression.
16:15Under these circumstances, what other choice do we have other than continuing to defend our territory and our people ferociously?
16:26So we are defending against their continuing attacks.
16:31All right.
16:33In terms of the bases that you spoke about, now I've unpacked that.
16:38Are you saying that after assurances given by the Gulf states that their soil will not be used, all the
16:46attacks that have happened came from the U.S. bases and that's why you retaliated?
16:51And what was the origin of the tomahawk that hit that school in Manab?
16:59I think it is very evident that a major part of the United States attacks are coming from the territories
17:16of the Persian Gulf countries.
17:18They are using their military bases and their assets that are located, that are stationed in the soil of the
17:27Persian Gulf countries.
17:29I think no one can.
17:30For instance, the missiles that hit the desalination water in Kashmir Island came from a country of the Persian Gulf.
17:41Look what President Trump tweeted the other day.
17:44He referred to tanker planes that were stationed in a military base in Saudi Arabia.
17:52And you remember, he said that those five tanker planes were not damaged.
17:57He was evidently referring to a military base in Saudi Arabia.
18:03So I wish really that the countries of the region would not have allowed the United States military presence in
18:13their territories, because now is proven that the United States military presence in the region has not been able to
18:23bring any sort of security or stability in the region.
18:27It has become a liability.
18:32Mr. Bagai, I ask you this again.
18:34What was the origin of the tomahawk that hit the school?
18:40I think it was one of the countries of the region.
18:43Two tomahawk missiles hit this elementary school within 40 minutes.
18:50So they just wanted to make sure that a more numerous people would be killed.
18:58So that was the reason why they hit these elementary schools.
19:03You don't wish to name the country?
19:06I prefer not.
19:08I understand.
19:08But they knew what that country was.
19:12And you see that that was a wicked war crime.
19:20No one can deny that it was intentional.
19:23It was premediated.
19:25And it was done by the United States with their two tomahawk missiles.
19:30Even if President Trump calls for a complete ceasefire, do you think Israel will stop?
19:35Do you think Netanyahu will stop?
19:36Is he listening to President Trump?
19:40I think we are not in a business of distinguishing between the United States and Israel.
19:47They have started this attack together.
19:50Even in June, when Israel initiated their aggression against Iran, the United States followed suit.
19:58So they are the one.
20:00And both are responsible for all the atrocities that are being committed against Iranians.
20:07Okay.
20:08All right.
20:09Coming back to the talks.
20:11Should there be talks?
20:12What are the red lines?
20:13Because now I see that Iran is demanding reparations.
20:16What do that reparations look like in terms of numbers?
20:21I think so far there have been billions of dollars damages incurred on Iran.
20:28But many people have been assassinated by attacks or have been marked as the result of their missiles and bombs
20:43launched against Iranian residential areas and other civilian structures.
20:51This is for our authorities to sum up.
20:54But that's a fact.
20:56An aggressor must be held accountable and pay the cost of the war.
21:03But what is more important for us is to make sure that this vicious cycle of war, negotiation, ceasefire, and
21:13again, restarting this cycle would not happen again.
21:17Because, as I said, this is not only a war against Iran.
21:22The whole international community must be cognizant of the fact that the United States attack against Iran led to a
21:33war in the whole region and the consequences for the whole international economy.
21:39So much.
21:41That's why we believe that the United Nations, the general membership of the UN, has to shoulder its responsibility and
21:54has to make the United States and Israel accountable for what they have done to the world economy and to
22:03the peace of the Persian Gulf region.
22:06Are you in touch with European countries because they are also suffering because of the oil shortage?
22:12Are you in touch with European countries?
22:14Are you going to allow more Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz?
22:23We do not have India as one of the countries participating or in any way helping the aggressors.
22:34Our bilateral relations with India have been one of mutual respect and mutual interest.
22:42And I think there has been very close and good interaction between the ministers.
22:50These contacts have been very important in ensuring the safe passage of Indian through the Strait of Hormuz.
23:02Okay.
23:03And are you in touch with other European countries because they are very concerned about their oil supplies?
23:09Is there any other country that you'd be willing to accord the same kind of safe passage to?
23:19I think there have been contact between Iran and some European states.
23:25The point is that the Europe has much at stake.
23:31Firstly, the European Union, the European countries as the self-proclaimed custodians of rule of law has to really demonstrate
23:42their true belief in rule of law and international law.
23:50We understand that some European countries have really positioned themselves in the right side of history by denouncing this war
23:58of aggression.
23:59But unfortunately, many European countries have been trying to appease the United States while knowing that this illegal war is
24:11illegal.
24:11This is an act of aggression.
24:14This is an act of aggression.
24:14So we call upon all European countries and international community to really pay attention to the fact that this is
24:26not only a war between the United States.
24:30This is a war that could annihilate the whole normative system based on the United Nations Charter, based on Article
24:422, Paragraph 4, which prohibits the use of forced international relations.
24:47And the European Union, the European countries can play a very important role in trying to avoid escalation and spiraling
24:57of this crisis.
24:59Your foreign minister just a while ago said that he's in favor of a nuclear deal.
25:04Are we looking at a revival of JCPOA here?
25:11I think no one really can believe in what they are saying because of a very clear experience we had.
25:22We had this nuclear deal in 2015.
25:26They withdrew unilaterally.
25:29And then we tried several times to have a sort of agreement on nuclear issue.
25:34On both occasions, they torpedoed a negotiating table and they attacked Iran just in the middle of that negotiating process.
25:46So I think they're not serious about diplomacy.
25:53Iran has shown, on the contrary, that it is serious about negotiation and diplomacy as a way of resolving any
26:05sort of dispute with other countries.
26:08But as I said, the trust has been badly damaged, although we were negotiating in an atmosphere of zero trust.
26:17But still, Iran's good intention, Iran's seriousness was badly betrayed by the United States and its great attack against Iran.
26:28I said, I suggest that you also talk to our Omani friends, Oman's foreign minister, because he was a mediator
26:38for this whole one year.
26:40And he knows very well how much we had progressed and how the United States decided to torpedo this process.
26:50Okay, Mr. Bagai, my last leg of questions, an important one.
26:54This is very dangerous diplomatic maneuvering by Iran, because you're not just fighting them militarily.
26:59You're challenging the petrodollar.
27:02The fact that you have now announced you're going to take money in the Chinese Yuan and not in dollars.
27:10What does that really mean, and how does that challenge the petrodollar?
27:14I ask you this is because our memory of countries that challenged the petrodollar did not really go down well
27:21for those countries, Iraq, Libya.
27:24Now, Iran is challenging the petrodollar.
27:26Yuan is the next currency.
27:30You see, there have been many speculations, many rumors about the impacts of this war.
27:42What we are focused right now is to protect our national security, our people, and our sovereignty against this barbaric
27:55act of aggression.
27:56So our number one priority is to exercise our right of self-defense against this act of aggression.
28:06Regardless of all the speculations or the consequences, we are a country that is under an unjust war of aggression.
28:15So there is no more important priority for us than defending ourselves against this act of aggression.
28:26And one thing I think I should remind is that the United States itself has been weaponizing its currency against
28:37the whole world economy.
28:40Sanctioning other countries, pressurizing many other states in the global south.
28:53So this has been what they have been doing for the past decades against almost all countries, I should say.
29:03All right. So, but are you still going to charge people or vessels, countries that pass through the Strait of
29:09Hormuz?
29:09Because has President Trump changed the dynamics of the region where Iran might control the Strait of Hormuz and charge
29:16a fee for it?
29:18As I said, there has been a series of measures for the passage of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
29:33Because this is because of the war situation imposed on Iran under international law.
29:40The warring parties' vessels cannot be let pass through this waterline because of the security concerns of the coastal states.
29:53What Iran is doing is just to make sure that the vessels belonging or related to the United States and
30:00Israel and other countries that are in any manner participating or helping the aggressors make any harm to Iran's national
30:08security.
30:08And I think that's based on international law.
30:12Again, I have to clarify that other states that have nothing to do with this act of aggression against Iran
30:20can pass through the Strait of Hormuz after necessary coordination with Iranian authorities.
30:26And this is simply to make sure that the passage would be done in a safe and secure way.
30:36So this is part of a responsible approach that Iran has taken in order to make sure that the passage
30:42through the Strait of Hormuz is being done safely.
30:45All right.
30:47Mr. Bagai, Khark Island, do you think the five-day moratorium, the idea of having conversation with Iran by President
30:54Trump, is this decoy?
30:56Is this a way to buy time so their amphibious strike group reaches the war theater and Khark Island is
31:03the ultimate goal?
31:04You see, we cannot underestimate any possible scenario.
31:17We have the experience of deception.
31:20We have the experience of abusing diplomatic process for preparation for aggression.
31:27So we have experiences.
31:30Our armed forces, our authorities take everything into account.
31:34But one thing is clear.
31:36Such ultimatums is a sign of their intention to commit war crimes.
31:43Threatening to attack civilian targets is a clear intent of committing war crimes.
31:52And everyone knows that Iran has the willingness, Iran has the will and capacity and capability to fight back against
32:03any such acts of war crimes.
32:08My final two questions to you.
32:10President Trump in an interaction yesterday had said that he will control the Strait of Hormuz and maybe with the
32:19next Supreme Leader or the next Ayatollah.
32:22One, his whole goal was to get rid of the Ayatollahs.
32:26Now he's saying he's going to control the Strait of Hormuz with the next Ayatollah.
32:30Which brings me to the question, while you respond to the Trump response.
32:36What is the status of health of Mushtaba Khamenei?
32:43You see, the American authorities say whatever they want to say.
32:48This is not the first time that we hear such things from the United States authorities.
32:54It is for the world audience to make their own judgment.
33:01What matters for us is that Iran has a very sophisticated, well-established system rooted in a popular revolution.
33:16And is based on Iran's identity and the right to self-determination of the people.
33:25The Supreme Leader is fine.
33:27And we are happy that our system is working efficiently.
33:34Our armed forces are acting in accordance with their plans to defend Iran.
33:40And more important than everything, our people are united against this barbaric act of aggression.
33:48So we are a nation that relies on the will and capability of its people.
33:57And I think that's both a great honor for us and a source of trust.
34:07How does one look at the future leadership of Iran, Mr. Bagai?
34:11Is it going to be Mushtaba Khamenei?
34:14He still hasn't made a public appearance.
34:17Masoud Pazashkian as president, Araqchi as foreign minister.
34:21Or is Mr. Khalil Abaf really going to play an important role in the coming future?
34:25Should we be watching his movement as well?
34:30I think very clear that the system is based on our constitution.
34:36Mr. Khalil Abaf is the speaker of the parliament.
34:39He is a very high profile politician.
34:44Every person in our system acts in accordance with the mandate and authorities given to them under the constitution.
34:54So I think the division of labor between our authorities is very clear-cut and very transparent.
35:03Finally, what are your expectations from India in this war?
35:06How can countries come help?
35:09Do you see a future where there is peace?
35:11And what does peace look like for Iran?
35:15As I said, every country has their own responsibility under international law.
35:22India is a pioneering country in developing world.
35:29India is a very important country in non-aligned movement.
35:33We have good bilateral relations, historic relations with India.
35:38India.
35:39And I think if we want to have a future that is based on the rule of law, not on
35:48rule of wean and force,
35:50I think everyone has to stand up against this very clear injustice against a civilizational state.
36:01And has to really call out the culprits.
36:07I understand different relations between different countries and the United States and Israel.
36:13But what is at stake here is the rule of international law and morality.
36:19So India and other countries can play a very important role in trying to deescalate the situation.
36:27And keep the clear facts that the Iranian nation is under a brutal attack by two nuclear armed regimes.
36:41There is no justification for this act of aggression.
36:46What are your conditions for peace, sir?
36:53I think they have started this war and they have to stop this war in the first place.
36:58So we are defending ourselves and we have to continue defending our country as long as it takes.
37:04Because this is not a war of choice by Iran.
37:08We were attacked by the United States and Israel.
37:12So nothing short of American retreat?
37:16Can you imagine anything other than that?
37:20We are a country that is defending itself against this act of oppression.
37:25So under international law, under any logic or morality.
37:34Talks are off the table, sir.
37:36We are defending ourselves.
37:37We are defending ourselves.
37:37Talks are off the table?
37:40Talks are off the table?
37:41Talks with whom?
37:43With the US?
37:45We are talking.
37:47We were in talks with the United States.
37:49We were in a serious diplomatic process with the United States when they attacked Iran.
37:57When they betrayed this diplomatic process.
38:00Please remember, we were attacked on 28 February.
38:04We were supposed to meet on Monday.
38:07We had agreed to continue our talks in Vienna to discuss technical details of a possible deal.
38:16But they attacked Iran.
38:17And this was not the first time.
38:19You remember, in June, when they attacked Iran just two days before the sixth round of negotiations.
38:27That's right.
38:28So talks off the table.
38:29You want America to retreat.
38:32Have you got that right?
38:34As I said, Iran is defending itself.
38:39And we have to continue defending ourselves as long as it takes.
38:44Because they are continuing to attack Iran.
38:46They have not stopped attacking Iran.
38:49Okay.
38:50Mr. Ismail Bagai, one of the top diplomats in Iran.
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