Iran Warns of Powerful Retaliation to Any Act of Aggression
Speaking at his weekly press briefing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would respond “more powerfully than ever” to any aggression, stressing that the country remains confident in its defensive capabilities amid what he described as a sustained hybrid war.
Addressing reports about leaked private messages involving the presidents of France and the United States, Baghaei argued that official diplomacy is incompatible with informal exchanges lacking legal validity and security safeguards. He added that such actions risk undermining the political credibility of states and fail to meet the standards of responsible international conduct.
From Tehran’s perspective, Baghaei said, the ambiguous language used in those private communications carries no legitimacy and cannot serve as a reliable point of reference in diplomatic affairs.
Commenting on joint military drills conducted by the United States and several Persian Gulf countries, the spokesman said Iran has faced continuous threats and accusations in the wake of the recent 12-day conflict. He warned that insecurity in the region is “contagious” and noted that regional states are fully aware that instability has clear and identifiable targets. Any country committed to international law, he added, should openly oppose what he described as Washington’s distortions. Reiterating Iran’s stance, Baghaei said Tehran remains mindful of recent experiences and will respond decisively to any hostile act.
On defense cooperation with Moscow and Beijing, Baghaei said Iran’s relations with Russia and China are founded on mutual respect and longstanding defense agreements. He confirmed that military cooperation, exchanges, and consultations with both countries will continue at full strength, adding that Tehran remains in contact with them regarding recent developments.
Baghaei also criticized a recent anti-Iran resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council, saying it exposed divisions within the international community. He noted that the resolution, proposed by Germany and the United Kingdom, failed to gain broad support, with nearly half of member states voting against it or abstaining—an outcome he described as a significant political message.
Finally, the spokesman dismissed claims circulated by Israeli media about an alleged exchange of messages between Iran’s foreign minister and the U.S. special envoy, calling the reports false and part of what he described as a broader campaign of misinformation.
