Iran Warns Any Threats Will Spread Instability Across the Middle East

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran is reviewing multiple aspects of potential talks with Washington, noting that regional countries are playing constructive mediating roles, in contrast to some European states that have heightened tensions.

Baqaei highlighted ongoing destabilizing actions by the U.S. and Israel, while Iran’s diplomatic corps continues high-level engagements, including communications between the Iranian president and regional leaders, as well as visits to Turkey and Russia, as part of broader efforts to safeguard national and regional interests.

Regarding Europe’s sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Baqaei said all European ambassadors in Tehran were summoned, and further retaliatory measures are under consideration. He described the EU decision as a strategic miscalculation intended to appease the U.S. and Israel, stressing that the IRGC plays a central role in regional security and stability.

Baqaei also condemned Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Gaza, describing them as violations of international law and ceasefire agreements, and urged the United Nations to hold Israel accountable for continued aggression. He stressed that Iran’s priority in any negotiations remains sanctions relief, directly linked to building nuclear confidence and ending economic pressures on its citizens.

Addressing regional security, Baqaei warned that any U.S. threat against Iran would destabilize the entire Middle East. He affirmed ongoing military drills with Russia and China, dismissed rumors of canceled exercises, and emphasized Iran’s commitment to defense readiness. He also rejected reports linking Iran to interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, asserting that the Iraqi people are solely responsible for their domestic political decisions.

On diplomacy with the U.S., Baqaei said Iran’s approach is grounded in realism rather than optimism, stressing that any talks would be based on careful assessment and past lessons. He criticized disinformation campaigns aimed at drawing the U.S. into endless conflicts, attributing these efforts largely to Israel and certain Western actors seeking to exploit regional tensions.

Finally, Baqaei reaffirmed Tehran’s strategic partnerships with China and Russia, urging the International Atomic Energy Agency to recognize Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities, and reiterated that any decisions on enriched uranium or negotiations are to be determined through formal diplomatic channels.