Iran asserts its defense, military capabilities ‘non-negotiable’ forever

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says Iran’s defense capabilities will never be subject to negotiations.

He made the remarks during his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, when asked about claims that European countries had asked for limits on Iran’s missile program during last week’s talks with the Islamic Republic.

“It is not unusual for the parties to raise their arguments, which is not unprecedented. However, what should be considered is that Iran has never discussed its defense and military capabilities with anyone and never will do so,” he said.

During a meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva on January 13, Iranian diplomats and those of the three European countries, namely the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3), discussed the removal of illegal sanctions and issues about the country’s nuclear program.

The two sides have been conducting on-again, off-again talks since 2021, three years after the United States unilaterally left the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and returned Washington’s unlawful sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

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An Iranian deputy FM describes as “constructive” the latest talks held with the E3 on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Also in his remarks, Baghaei warned of a “reciprocal response” to any misuse of the so-called snapback mechanism, which allows for the return of anti-Iran sanctions suspended under the JCPOA, aimed at exerting pressure on the country.

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Regarding expectations from the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump in the upcoming four years, the spokesman expressed hope that Washington’s approach will be based on “realism, international law, and respect for the demands of the Iranian people.”

‘Gaza truce resistance’s victory over occupation’

Baghaei also hailed the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas resistance group in the Gaza Strip as “another example of the resistance’s victory against occupation and oppression.”

Israel was forced to agree to the Gaza truce after the regime failed to achieve its objectives in the besieged territory despite killing nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, during a 15-month-long genocidal war.

Baghaei noted that the Israeli crimes in Gaza were not possible without the support of the US and Western countries.

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The planned ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian Hamas resistance group and Israel has taken effect after deadly strikes by the usurping regime on the Gaza Strip.

‘Palestinian resistance not reliant on any country’

He further emphasized that the Palestinian resistance “is not dependent on any country and that it stems from the nation’s beliefs.”

Asked about claims that Hamas will not play a role in the governance of post-war Gaza, he replied, “What is clear is that the resistance and Hamas are a movement in the hearts of the Palestinian people, and no one can ignore Hamas’ presence in the future of Palestine.”

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