Iran says Hezbollah is 'an inseparable part' of Lebanese government

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esma’eel Baqayi says Iran considers the Hezbollah resistance movement an inseparable part of the Lebanese government, while the Islamic Republic maintains good relations with the government in Beirut.  

Iran enjoys amity with the resistance in Lebanon, and sees the group as helpful to the Lebanese government, Baqayi said during a regular press briefing held on Monday.

Tehran-Beirut ties have always been positive, with both sides open to addressing misunderstandings, he said, adding that this approach persists as “good meetings” were held during the recent trip of an Iranian government delegation to Beirut.

The spokesman was referring to the meetings that the Iranian delegation held with top Lebanese officials in Beirut on February 23. That day, senior Iranian officials including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited the Lebanese capital to attend the funeral for late Hezbollah leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, both assassinated by Israel last year.

Baqayi said the funeral marked a significant regional event that drew large crowds of people from Lebanon and other countries.

The relationship between Iran and Lebanon is historically rooted in mutual respect, and is based on internationally recognized principles as both are members of the United Nations, he emphasized.

Countries' relations must be based on rule of law

Iran has emphasized that security is not “an imported commodity”, the spokesperson said.

This, he added, serves as a reminder to evaluate whether international relations are reverting to the 19th century when power, intimidation, and pressure were the basis of interaction among countries.

The first and second world wars taught the international community that conflict, coercion, and force must be contained, and that relations should be governed by the rule of law, he said.

West Asia security is ‘endogenous’

Further in his remarks, the spokesman answered a question on a heated debate between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his American counterpart Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.

Baqayi said that anyone can have their interpretation of the way the discussions raised at that meeting.

However, he added, what is important for Iran and the West Asia region is that security should be an “endogenous” matter.

Regional countries should act by relying on their national and regional forces to ensure stability and security in West Asia and the Persian Gulf, Baqayi said, emphasizing that “no third party” can be relied on in this regard.  

Iran-Turkey relations

The spokesman also commented on recent remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Iran’s regional policy.

Baqayi said that while Tehran and Ankara hold differing views on certain regional issues, they have successfully managed the differences through taking a rational approach in order to prevent damage to their bilateral ties.

Iran attaches importance to the development of ties with Turkey, however, the recent remarks were unconstructive, necessitating a clear and decisive expression of the Islamic Republic’s stance, Baqayi added.

He said that the repercussions of regional actions, particularly those of the Israeli regime in Syria over the past few months, can easily be noticed.

Turkey must consider how these developments impact its policies, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson further said.

He added that Iran, Turkey, and other regional nations should focus on enhancing security in the region to make it free of conflict.

Iran remains determined on that path, and believes that Turkey also understands the importance of maintaining and enhancing bilateral relations based on national interests, and makes efforts in that regard, Baqayi said, expressing hope that both sides will continue to collaborate on this path.

West Bank, Gaza are part of historical Palestine

Further in his presser, the spokesman commented on a last week move by the chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, who ordered staff to call the West Bank by its Hebrew name.

Baqayi said that such moves do not change the realities on the ground that the West Bank and Gaza are part of historical Palestine, with both regions undoubtedly belonging to the Palestinian people.

That attempt to change the name is in line with plots by some American politicians who seek to erase Palestinian culture and identity, said the Iranian official.

IAEA director general must fulfill his responsibilities

Regarding the recent remarks of Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Iran's nuclear program, Baqayi said that applying an opinion based on speculation is neither within the framework of Grossi’s duties nor does it help to solve problems.

It has already been proved that Iran's nuclear program is within international frameworks and is in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement as well as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the spokesman noted.

The IAEA has all the necessary facilities for monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities, he said, adding that Grossi’s report is unconstructive and politically motivated.

Talks on Iran’s nuclear issue

When asked whether a proposal to mediate between Tehran and Washington was made during the recent visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Iran, Baqayi said many countries declare goodwill to help in this regard, because it is an important issue.

On whether the United States and Russia have discussed Iran’s nuclear deal, the spokesman said that the agreement is one of international issues, which is natural to be discussed by Washington and Moscow.

But what is important is that whatever is related to Iran’s nuclear issue will not be done without considering Iran’s views, he added.

As to the new round of talks between Iran and European sides, he expressed hope that progress is made in the talks, saying that as long as dialogue takes place, it means that the parties hope that such talks will bear fruits.

The three European countries, namely Britain, France and Germany, view the negotiations as necessary, the spokesperson added.

U.S. sanctions

In response to new sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran, Baqayi stated that the measures fundamentally violate the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

The official also said the move is indicative of the United States' continuous hostility toward the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Israeli atrocities 

The Israeli regime has exploited famine and hunger as tools to advance its objectives in the Gaza Strip, Baqayi said further in his presser.

Over the past year, conditions in Gaza have not improved, and the genocide persists, he said.

The situation in the occupied West Bank is equally dire, with severe actions taking place against Palestinians in the absence of media, said the official.

On Lebanon, the spokesman said that Israel's repeated violations of the country’s sovereignty show that the aggression is going on, emphasizing that Lebanon's sovereignty must be respected.

In response to the Zionist regime's proposal to divide Syria and establish a non-Muslim state, regional countries must condemn any attempts to undermine Syrian national sovereignty and prevent the Israeli regime from exploiting recent developments to sow insecurity and destabilize the region, the spokesman said.