According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, Esmaeil Baghaei warned that continued silence by the international community would push the world closer to a “law of the jungle,” stressing that Iran’s position—regardless of governments or individuals—is firmly rooted in the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the prohibition of the use of force.
Venezuela: A Red Line in Tehran’s View of International Law
Speaking at his weekly press briefing, Baghaei said the repeated violation of international legal norms must not be interpreted as their collapse. “On the contrary,” he noted, “such actions should alert the international community to the reality that without these principles, the world would descend into chaos.”
He described the developments in Venezuela as “extremely dangerous,” emphasizing that the violation of a country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unjustifiable under any circumstances and runs counter to the UN Charter.
According to Baghaei, the normalization of the use of force will inevitably produce consequences affecting the entire international community.
Domestic Laws Cannot Justify Violating Other States’ Sovereignty
Responding to claims by U.S. officials that the abduction was carried out under domestic court rulings, Baghaei said such arguments are “absolutely invalid” under international law.
He stressed that no country’s internal legal system can serve as a basis for infringing upon another state’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, calling the justification a mere cover for an unlawful act.
Iran–Venezuela Relations Will Continue / Financial Claims Remain Intact
Baghaei reaffirmed that Iran’s relations with Venezuela have always been based on mutual respect and shared interests and will continue on the same footing regardless of political developments.
He added that changes in government or political authority do not nullify bilateral economic relations or outstanding financial claims, which Iran continues to pursue through relevant institutions.
He also confirmed that Iran’s ambassador, embassy staff, and Iranian nationals in Caracas are safe, noting that Tehran is closely monitoring the situation and remains in direct contact with Venezuelan authorities.
European Criticism Signals Awareness of Dangerous Consequences
Commenting on criticism voiced by some French officials regarding U.S. actions in Venezuela, Baghaei said such positions reflect an understanding—rooted in Europe’s own historical experience—of the severe consequences of tolerating violations of international law.
He warned that failure to respond decisively would leave no country immune from similar actions in the future.
From Greenland to Lebanon and Yemen: A Consistent Principle
Baghaei reiterated that Iran maintains a principled and non-selective stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Unlike some European states, he said, Tehran rejects violations of international law wherever they occur—whether in Venezuela, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Greenland.
He also announced that the process for appointing Iran’s new ambassador to Lebanon has been completed and that diplomatic dialogue between Tehran and Beirut will continue on a regular basis.
On Yemen, Baghaei emphasized the importance of preserving the country’s unity and advancing inclusive Yemeni–Yemeni dialogue.
Psychological Warfare and Security Threats Against Iran
Addressing recent statements by U.S. and Israeli officials, Baghaei said media hype and psychological warfare are integral components of sustained pressure against Iran.
He stressed that Iran is closely monitoring developments and that its armed forces will not show the slightest negligence in defending the country’s sovereignty.
He dismissed statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as hypocritical, saying the Israeli regime has a long record of aggression, assassinations, and efforts to undermine Iran’s national unity.
No Room for Diplomatic Surprise
Baghaei rejected claims that Iran could be caught off guard by recent developments, noting that the Foreign Ministry has dealt with a wave of unprecedented crises over the past years. He said Iran remains actively engaged in diplomatic consultations to safeguard national interests and counter threats to regional and international peace.
Human Rights and Double Standards
Criticizing recent positions taken by UN human rights mechanisms, Baghaei said selective and politicized approaches have severely damaged the credibility of international human rights institutions. He contrasted the silence over what he described as genocide in Gaza with persistent political pressure on Iran.
A Collective Responsibility to Defend the International Order
Concluding the briefing, Baghaei said confronting lawlessness is a collective responsibility. Iran, he stressed, will continue to use multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, alongside bilateral diplomacy, to defend the principles and rules of international law and to prevent the normalization of illegal actions.
Your Comment