The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson says Iran will not allow the United States to determine when war begins or ends, stressing that the country’s decisions on defense and diplomacy are guided solely by its national interests and national security.
Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks at a press conference on Monday in response to a question about media reports claiming that Iran and the United States had responded to a joint proposal by Pakistan and Qatar for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations, while US weapons transfers to the region continued.
Addressing Iran’s decision-making process, Baghaei said the country’s policies were shaped through established institutional mechanisms rather than external pressure.
“As a matter of principle, we are neither concerned about oil nor about America’s concerns. What matters to us is our national interests and national expediency,” he said.
“Determining a country’s national interests and expediency is not a one-variable equation; it involves many different considerations. Ultimately, what guides our decisions is our national security and national interests. Decisions in this regard are made through a fully transparent and well-defined process involving all the relevant decision-making bodies of the Islamic Republic,” the official went on.
“We have never allowed, and never will allow, the United States to dictate the timing of war and peace. We will continue to defend ourselves for as long as our national interests and national expediency require. Whenever we conclude that diplomacy can serve as an effective instrument for safeguarding our national interests, we will certainly make use of it.”
(This item will be updated).
