Senior Iranian diplomat Nasser Kan'ani made the remarks while speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday morning.
The IRGC said on January 16 that it had fired barrages of ballistic missiles at Syrian bases of terrorists involved in recent terrorist attacks in Iran, as well as an Israeli espionage center in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.
The IRGC said the first missile strike targeted gathering places of commanders and main elements of recent terrorist attacks in the Iranian cities of Kerman and Rask. It said in a later statement that a missile strike had been launched at a main espionage center of the Israeli regime’s Mossad spy agency in the Iraqi Kurdistan. The strike destroyed the Mossad center, it said.
Referring to the IRGC attack on the Mossad espionage center in Erbil and the level of Iran-Iraq security agreement implementation, he stated that Iran's relations with the Iraqi government are strong and stable and the two countries have comprehensive cooperation in various fields of interest.
Kan'ani noted that despite Iran's good relations and cooperation with the Kurdistan region of Iraq, unfortunately, there have been objective threats to the national security and the security of Iranian citizens from this region for so many years.
Iran's government and armed forces will not be indifferent to providing security and defending the security of their citizens as they have always acted in this regard, he said, emphasizing that national and border security and the security of Iranian citizens is Iran's red line.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson noted that Iran has been the biggest defender and supporter of Iraq's security, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, stressing that Iran has proven its commitment to Iraq's security and support for the Iraqi government and its citizens.
Iran's action against the Mossad terrorist organization affiliated with the Zionist regime is aimed at punishing the aggressors of Iran's security, and not an action against Iraq, the Iraqi government, and the Kurdistan Region or an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country, he stated.
Kan'ani added that Iran has a clear position regarding Iraq and Iran repeatedly has given the necessary warnings to the authorities of the friendly and brotherly country of Iraq in the framework of security and intelligence cooperation between the two sides.
Iran-Pakistan relationship is strong
Regarding Iran and Pakistan relations and the return of the two countries' ambassadors, he stated that the military and security officials of the two countries discussed terrorist groups on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border have been between the military and security officials of the two countries.
Countering terrorist groups and creating security on the two borders will be the long-term goal of the two countries to promote cooperation, he said.
He continued that Iran and Pakistan's relationship is strong, and action against a terrorist group with numerous records of terrorist and criminal activities against the Iranian nation and armed forces and law enforcement has been carried out in the framework of protecting the security of Iran's citizens and security facilities, adding that it was due to an immediate necessity to prevent another anti-security action by this terrorist movement.
Kan'ani went on to say that the two countries emphasize respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that the security of the two countries depends on each other and terrorism is a common danger.
The two countries agree on the common fight against terrorism and the threat of terrorism, and the recent incident will not diminish the strength of the relations between the two countries, he said.
Both sides emphasized their determination to resume the activities of the ambassadors and the two foreign ministers had a telephone conversation regarding this matter, Kan'ani added.
Iran-Egypt relations have positive atmosphere
Regarding Iran and Egypt relations, Kan’ani stated that contact between the high officials of the two countries has a positive atmosphere, adding that the meetings of the two foreign ministers and also the presidents indicate the new positive atmosphere in the relations between the two countries.
He noted that based on these meetings a road map has been defined for the continuation of negotiations between the two countries and the resolution of disagreements and possible abuses, and the authorities of the two countries have agreed to continue the talks to take new steps in developmenting path of relations between the two countries.
“We are optimistic about moving in this direction,” Kan'ani said.
He pointed out that the two sides have important bilateral and regional issues to discuss including Palestine, adding that the Red Crescent of the two countries have continuous communication.
Saudi Arabia mediating between Iran and the US
Regarding Saudi Arabia’s role in relations between Iran and the US, he said “ I cannot confirm this news, but the US uses different channels to send messages to Iran and this is customary".
Kan’ani added that Iran and Saudi Arabia’s relations are good and progressing, and there is a serious effort to develop cooperation.
There are continuous consultations and dialogues between the officials of the two countries, including the foreign ministers, he said.
Regarding Ali Bagheri's conversation with Enrique Mora in Geneva, he stated that conversations with European officials are ongoing, and joint conversations, and there are regular talks between the Iranian foreign minister and Josep Borrell.
The latest sanctions-lifting talks have been exchanged in Geneva and Iran has presented its views and these contacts will continue, Kan'ani said.
Talks on the removal of sanctions and JCPOA revival to go on
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora held talks in Geneva in a bid to exchange views on removing the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, said Kanaani.
The negotiations are to be continued in this regard, he further noted.
Regarding the relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the official said that the two sides will continue the talks.
Kanaani also added that the two sides could pay visits whenever necessary to this end.
Iran, IAEA cooperation continues
Regarding the comments of the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, saying that Iran is limiting its cooperation with the Agency, Kan'ani stated that cooperation between Iran and the IAEA continues based on the existing frameworks between Iran and the Agency.
He added that Grossi's trip can be relevant whenever necessary, within the framework of consultations and coordination between Iran and the IAEA.
Zionist regime's threats against Iran
As to the threatening remarks of certain Zionist officials against Iran, he said that the baseless threats and statements demonstrate the aggressive nature of the Zionist regime.
The measures indicate the level of threat it poses to regional and international security, he underlined.
The regime keeps seeking to create instability and insecurity at both regional and global levels, he underscored.
Kanaani termed the remarks as hollow, noting, “We will certainly not leave any action against Iran unanswered".
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) should pay attention to the statements of the Zionist regime, he said, calling on the UNSC to take the necessary legal measures against the threats.
NATO's recent military drill
We do not consider such military actions and maneuvers and efforts to expand NATO's presence in the region as contributing to peace, stability, and security in the region, Kanaani said.
Not only have NATO's activities not brought any peace and stability to the region, but they have also fueled insecurity and war, he added.
Iran's support for South Africa's lawsuit against Zionist regime
Answering IRNA correspondent, Kanaani said that the Islamic Republic backs the good, responsible, brave, and noble move by South Africa, who filed a lawsuit against the Israeli regime at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), adding that Iran announced its political support for the African country’s stance.
According to the spokesman, Iran has underlined the need for resorting to international conventions since October 7, 2023, and called upon different states to utilize the opportunity as well as the capacities of the ICJ for this goal.
Biden's statement on Iran worthless
Regarding US President Joe Biden's statement that Iran is not popular, he called these statements worthless, stressing that the US should think about its unfavorable position in the world public opinion and the Security Council, and pay attention to the voice and slogans of its nation in different states.
Iranians martyred in Syria
When asked about the Zionist regime’s attacks against some Iranian advisories in Syria, he said that the martyrs were serving in the Arab country at the request of the Syrian government.
They had taken a considerable number of measures to fight against terrorism, he added.
Iran's stance on the Palestinian cause
What the Zionist regime is pursuing is finding a way out of the self-created quagmire of the Gaza war. The regime keeps creating tension, conflicts, and war in the region, he said, adding that Iran will not play a role in a plot devised by the Zionist regime.
Iran will not be tight-handed to respond to the measures of the Zionist regime against Iran's goals, he said.
Regarding the stance of the Islamic Republic on the Palestinian cause, Kanaani said that Iran’s stance on the crisis in Palestine is clear.
He went on to say that Tehran has repeatedly announced that the ongoing crisis in Palestine is the result of the occupation of land by an occupier regime. The main owners of Palestine should be given the right to self-determination, with the result being determined through democracy and referendum.
He also said that those countries that advocate a two-state solution to the issue of Palestine should recognize that the Zionist regime, as one side of this crisis, is opposed to the initiative.
Those who propose the so-called peace initiative should realize that the right of one side is practically ignored in favor of the other, Kanaani said. This solution will not bear fruits, he further noted.
Iran VP travel to Uganda to participate in Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) summit
Regarding Iran’s vice president, Mohammad Mokhber's trip to Uganda, Kan’ani stated that participating in multilateral and international mechanisms has been one of Iran's approaches to use these capacities to realize national goals and interests.
Iran used the capacities of these organizations, including the non-alignment movement to promote its national interests, he said, adding that Such mechanisms are an opportunity to advance the multilateral goals of non-aligned members, especially regarding establishing international peace and security and supporting oppressed nations, including Palestine.
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