TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed that Iran believes the US forces must leave the region sooner and the move will bring calm back to the region.
Speaking at a weekly press conference on Monday, Khatibzadeh Referred to the recent US moves in the region and said, “The actions and moves and some mischief of the United States are not hidden from our eyes, and our intelligence, security and military services are fully aware of the seemingly secret moves of the United States in the region and Iraq”.
“The United States would be held responsible for consequences of any possible adventurism in the region and if any action is taken, we will respond clearly and without a moment’s hesitation,” he added.
“The messages have been clearly conveyed to Washington and the countries of the region and these countries have been told not to fall into the trap of these plots,” he added, highlighting, “We closely monitor these moves.”
“Iran’s policy in the region is good neighborliness. We have always tried to help bring about lasting security in our neighborhoods,” the spokesman emphasized.
“We believe the US forces must leave the region sooner and the move will bring calm back to the region” Khatibzade stated.
Referring to the relation between Iran and Iraq, he said, “Relations between Iran and Iraq are natural, historical and popular and no one can destroy these relations with artificial and engineered measures”.
Regarding the latest status of the Ukrainian plane case, Khaibzadeh said, “The decision of the government is to pay the same ransom to all the victims of this plane”.
“This is not a substitute for the ongoing criminal case. The criminal case is being seriously pursued and it will be announced in the coming days,” he added.
Answering a question about Iraq’s abstention and Afghanistan’s absence in UN budget meeting, Khatibzadeh said, “The United States failed for the third time for its actions against the Iranian nation at the United Nations which shows the growing isolation of White House officials, and it was a disgraceful defeat”.
“We expressed our dissatisfaction to our neighbors, and the Iraqi Prime Minister announced that they are pursuing this issue,” he added.
“Neighboring countries know better how much US unilateralism and rebellion has hurt the nations of the region,” the spokesman noted.
Regarding Iran-Russia relations, Khatibzadeh said, “Relations betweent the two countries are in the best condition in all aspects and we are pursuing the implementation and advancement of agreements between the two countries”.
Speaking about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Khatibzadeh said, “In the case of the international deal, Iran will talk with the P5+1 as parties of the deal, and for the regional issues, it will address regional countries”.
Turning to the US economic war against Iran, the spokesman hoped that the US president-elect Joe Biden would seize the final chance to save the JCPOA.
“Iran will be ready to change methods to make a reform, but it will take place only when the US implements reform and fulfills its commitments,” he underlined.
Regarding the latest remarks of Jake Sullivan, Biden’s incoming national security adviser, over Iran’s missile program, Khatibzadeh said, “Iran’s defense capability has never been and will not be negotiated”.
“Iran’s defense capability is pursued independently based on the country’s needs. Once in the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, the issue of missiles has been mentioned and resolved,” he added.
Stating that the United States knows that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful, Khatibzadeh said, “As a result, the missile issue is a secondary issue, and arms embargoes have been lifted”.
“We will not renegotiate any parts of the JCPOA, and these are internal comments and have no value for Iran. Our response is the full and unconditional implementation of the JCPOA and compensation for the events of the past,” the foreign ministry spokesman added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Khatibzdeh announced, “South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister will travel to Iran soon and we hope that this visit will put an end to the delays in the payment of Iran’s money”.
About the possibility of reviving ties with Saudi Arabia, he said, “Saudi Arabia is an important country in the region. If Saudi rulers come back from their wrong path, it would be possible to revive good relations of the past”.
- source : ISNA