Baghaei: No one believes Zionist regime acts without US coordination

Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, at the beginning of his weekly press briefing, detailed the latest developments in West Asia and Iran's response to the Zionist regime's aggression against southern Lebanon, then answered reporters' questions regarding the latest foreign policy developments and international affairs.

In response to a question about current American claims that Netanyahu acts independently in attacking Iran and Lebanon and that Netanyahu does not heed Trump, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "In our region, no one believes that any action by the Zionist regime occurs without prior coordination and cooperation with the United States."

He continued: "The US State Department explicitly stated during the 40-day war that the reason for the US-imposed war on Iran was to support the Zionist regime, and now, despite the claims of American officials, we are aware that CENTCOM is cooperating and coordinating with the Zionist regime in both defensive and offensive capacities."

Baghaei added: "The interpretation that the Zionist regime does not heed the United States and acts independently of American wishes is a matter that can be discussed, but attention must be paid to the fact that America's responsibility as a party to the April 8 ceasefire is established. Whatever happens in the region that violates the ceasefire – whether through America's attack on Iranian commercial ships and facilities in southern Iran or through the Zionist regime's actions in Lebanon – America's direct responsibility in this regard is established, and the consequences of escalating tensions lie with the United States."

Events of past 24 hours will worsen already disordered diplomatic process

In response to a question about the status of negotiations following the provocative actions of the Zionist regime and Iran's response, Baghaei said: "These events intensify suspicions. Even now, we were exchanging messages with the United States in an atmosphere of very deep mistrust."

He added: "The actions of the Zionist regime in the region cannot be separated from American policies. The contradictions, inconsistent behaviors, and what they themselves call confusing announcements – whether intentional or not – have already caused enough disruption in the diplomatic process."

Baghaei emphasized: "The events of the past 24 hours will only add to this disordered situation in the diplomatic process."

We will act wherever necessary within framework of security and national interests

In response to a question about how far Iran is willing to go following the escalation of tensions in the region, the Foreign Ministry official said: "Wherever necessary, wherever our national interests require, and wherever our national security deems necessary, we will certainly act."

He added: "We cannot under any circumstances allow the Zionist regime or the United States to exploit the current situation to repeat their aggressions and expand their scope, merely issuing a general statement claiming 'we are committed to the ceasefire' – a ceasefire they are continuously and repeatedly violating every day. The armed forces, the diplomatic apparatus, and all pillars of Iran are prepared to face any situation to protect the country's security and national interests."

Zionist regime has always been a disruptor of any diplomatic process

In response to a question about reports that Israel has spied on the US negotiating team and whether such a claim can be accepted, Baghaei said: "Nothing is beyond expectation from the Zionist regime. This is particularly interesting because the Americans, by their own admission, have always consulted with the Zionist regime before and after negotiations and kept them informed of the negotiations."

Baghaei continued: "Hearing that American officials have been subjected to intelligence operations by the Zionist regime is further evidence that the Zionist regime does not ordinarily respect any diplomatic process that leads to a measure of calm in our region, and has always acted as a threat and disruptor of any diplomatic process."

He added: "What has been raised is a dispute that must be resolved between America and Israel, but public opinion and the countries of the region will draw the necessary lessons from this situation and these reports, and will understand more than before which party actively spares no effort to undermine the diplomatic process in the region."

Iran's options

In response to a question about Iran's new options in the event of further escalation by the Zionist regime, Baghaei said: "This question should be asked to Iran's armed forces. I suspect they will not speak about it, but will demonstrate in practice how they will defend Iran's national interests and sovereignty."