{"id":4490,"date":"2026-02-23T11:31:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T08:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/?p=4490"},"modified":"2026-02-23T12:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T09:24:20","slug":"baghaei-speculations-about-interim-agreement-entirely-groundless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/baghaei-speculations-about-interim-agreement-entirely-groundless\/","title":{"rendered":"Baghaei: Speculations about interim agreement groundless"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"summary\">Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, addressed ongoing rumors regarding the content of talks between Tehran and Washington, stating that speculations about an &#8220;interim agreement&#8221; are entirely groundless.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tehran &#8211; IranView24<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"item-text\">\n<div class=\"item-text\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Esmail Baghaei said at his weekly press conference that while there has been extensive speculation about the nature and substance of the talks, \u201cnone of these reports are confirmed by us, and speculation about the details of the negotiations\u2014especially regarding an interim agreement\u2014has no basis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added that drafting any negotiation text is a joint undertaking. \u201cOur position on the termination of U.S. sanctions and nuclear-related issues is clear, and we are also aware of the U.S. side\u2019s views.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>We Are in the Drafting Phase<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Baghaei stated that if goodwill exists on both sides, there can be hope for progress. \u201cWe are currently in the phase of drafting positions,\u201d he said, expressing hope that another round of talks would take place within the next few days, as previously announced by Seyed Abbas Araghchi.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Responding to a question about remarks attributed to U.S. officials suggesting Iran should \u201csurrender\u201d and alleging that Iran is only a week away from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Baghaei said this was not the first time contradictory statements had been heard. \u201cNo negotiation aimed at forcing one side will yield results\u2014at least not in the case of Iran,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He reiterated that Iran is serious and determined in pursuing diplomacy, grounded in confidence in the legitimacy of its positions from logical, legal, and international perspectives. \u201cWe will continue this process steadfastly, relying on the solid foundations of our demands.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Nuclear Decisions Are Taken by the Supreme National Security Council<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Addressing claims of a duality between the Foreign Ministry and the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council in managing negotiations, Baghaei said Iran acts on nuclear matters in accordance with decisions made by the Supreme National Security Council. Relevant institutions, including the Atomic Energy Organization and economic bodies, participate as necessary, with final decisions made at the Council level and implemented by the Foreign Ministry.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">On the issue of the Additional Protocol, he noted that Iran had voluntarily implemented it during the period of the 2015 nuclear agreement and that such a step would necessarily require reciprocal measures, including sanctions relief. He described the protocol as a tool for providing additional assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran\u2019s nuclear program.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>The Iranian Nation Does Not Yield to Surrender<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Asked what underpins Iran\u2019s confidence amid increased U.S. military deployments in the region, Baghaei replied that such confidence stems from the legitimacy of Iran\u2019s cause and its historical and civilizational heritage.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe character and conduct of the Iranian people are incompatible with surrender,\u201d he said. Over the past 48 years, the Iranian nation has sought dignity, independence, and respect for national sovereignty. \u201cFrom the perspective of international law, speaking of surrender contradicts established legal principles,\u201d he added, emphasizing that a nation determined to safeguard its independence and territorial integrity will remain steadfast.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He further argued that the United States cannot ignore Iran\u2019s national and security concerns. \u201cJudging Iran through your own lens will not lead to accurate conclusions,\u201d he said, adding that Iran will frustrate those seeking excessive demands, whether the United States or others adopting a posture of superiority.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Baghaei remarked that a statesman\u2019s legacy should be one of healing historical wounds, not reopening them.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Sanctions Relief Must Be Tangible<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">On sanctions relief within the framework of nuclear talks, the spokesperson said the Iranian public closely follows the process. \u201cPeople witnessed in June and now again that we are prepared to continue negotiations for days and weeks to achieve results,\u201d he stated, adding that negotiations are only useful if they produce outcomes. \u201cReason, logic, and ethics dictate that sanctions be lifted as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Afghanistan, Israel, and Regional Security<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Regarding the potential recognition of Afghanistan\u2019s Islamic Emirate, Baghaei said Iran\u2019s relations with Afghanistan are based on mutual respect and shared interests, noting deep cultural and civilizational ties. The issue of recognition, he said, would be announced by the Foreign Ministry once a final decision is reached.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">On Israel, Baghaei rejected claims that Israel\u2019s objective is limited to confronting a particular sectarian axis. \u201cFor Israel, there is no distinction between Shia and Sunni, Arab or non-Arab,\u201d he said, asserting that Israeli officials have openly declared ambitions of regional dominance. Such rhetoric, he added, reinforces the view that the Israeli regime represents a persistent threat to the region and underscores the need for greater regional cooperation.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Military Preparedness and Negotiations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Addressing threats made alongside ongoing negotiations, Baghaei said Iran\u2019s armed forces remain vigilant and ready to defend the country. \u201cWe have always said we will not be influenced by threats,\u201d he noted, emphasizing that Iran remains focused on safeguarding the rights and interests of its people. If Iran concludes that the other side seeks deception or bad faith, it will take proportionate action.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWhile we are in the negotiation room, our military forces will remain even more vigilant in monitoring developments,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">On whether the United States is expected to present a proposal, Baghaei said seriousness in negotiations requires all parties to engage constructively and in good faith. Drafting any document necessitates cooperation from all sides. Iran is finalizing its positions, while the timing and method of presenting proposals are being coordinated with Oman as the mediator.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Inspections of Damaged Sites<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Responding to a question about inspections of damaged nuclear sites, Baghaei said Iran remains committed to its obligations and that all agreed inspections of peaceful nuclear facilities for 2025 have been carried out. However, he described damaged facilities as a separate matter and said that without an established protocol, Iran is unable to grant access.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>EU Decision on the IRGC<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Commenting on the decision of the EU Council of Ministers to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, Baghaei said the move violates international law and the UN Charter. \u201cLabeling part of a country\u2019s official armed forces under any circumstances is unjustified,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added that Iran\u2019s subsequent designation of certain European naval and air forces as terrorist entities was a response to what he described as the EU\u2019s unlawful action. \u201cFrom now on, their presence will be viewed differently, as they are considered terrorist organizations, and this carries its own consequences,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, addressed ongoing rumors regarding the content of talks between Tehran and Washington, stating that speculations about an &#8220;interim agreement&#8221; are entirely groundless. Tehran &#8211; IranView24 Esmail Baghaei said at his weekly press conference that while there has been extensive speculation about the nature and substance of the talks, \u201cnone [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":4491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[71,39,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-important-news","category-foreign-policy","category-political"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4490"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4494,"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4490\/revisions\/4494"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iranview24.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}