Baghaei: New or contradictory U.S. demands have prolonged the negotiation process

Esmail Baghaei, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, addressed journalists in a press conference today (Monday, June 1, 2026), explaining the ministry’s most important decisions and actions over the past week.

We are witnessing an unprecedented crime by the Zionist regime in Lebanon / The UN remains a mere spectator with no action

Baghaei began his press conference by referring to the ongoing developments in Lebanon, stating: “The Zionist regime continues to be the greatest threat to international peace and security and to morality and humanity, committing the most heinous crimes in Lebanon and occupied Palestine. While genocide continues in Gaza, despite the so-called ceasefire they have announced, we are also facing unprecedented crimes in Lebanon. Lebanon’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity are continuously violated, the ceasefire is repeatedly breached, and many Lebanese citizens have lost their lives in the attacks, displaced from their homes, cities, and villages.”

He added: “Meanwhile, the United Nations and the Security Council, unfortunately, have taken no action or movement and are merely spectators. This situation will certainly have consequences not only for our region but for the entire international community. Continued inaction against aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity will undoubtedly have repercussions for global peace and security, and these effects are already being felt. The international community is obliged to fulfill its responsibilities under the UN Charter.”

Ceasefire in Lebanon is an inseparable part of any final agreement to end the war

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in response to a question about Iran’s position on the developments in Lebanon and the continued crimes of the Israeli regime in that country, said: “Our region is facing continuous warmongering by the Zionist regime; this is not just about today or yesterday. For the past 80 years, with U.S. support, the Zionist regime has waged a constant and endless war against the countries of the region.”

He continued: “The developments of the past few months constitute a clear and gross violation of the ceasefire of April 8. We have emphasized and continue to emphasize that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an inseparable part of any ceasefire and any final agreement to end the war.”

Baghaei added: “It is not only the Zionist regime that is violating the ceasefire; the U.S. is also committing widespread violations of the ceasefire in our region. Add to this the continued maritime piracy and aggression against Iran’s commercial shipping, which is both a ceasefire violation and an act of aggression against Iran.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: “Iran undoubtedly considers itself committed to taking any necessary action to uphold the ceasefire that the other side had declared itself committed to, but in practice is repeatedly violating.”

Baghaei continued: “The diplomatic apparatus and other parts of our government are carefully monitoring developments, and we will not hesitate to take any action we deem necessary to defend Iran’s national security and to protect a situation that we believe ensures the security of Iran and the region.”

Diplomacy is not a substitute for power / We are negotiating in a climate of distrust

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in response to an IRNA question about the latest status of talks between Iran and the U.S., said: “The reasons are not unclear; they are very obvious. From the beginning, we knew and we know that we are negotiating in a climate of distrust, and that is an assumption. Beyond that, negotiations began amid deep suspicion and mistrust, and the exchange of messages is taking place in the same framework and atmosphere. Therefore, from this perspective, we must remember that diplomacy is not a substitute for power. Negotiation or diplomacy is not itself a sign or product of trust between negotiating parties. These must be distinguished from one another.”

He continued: “In such a situation, where the other side constantly changes its views, raises new or contradictory demands, and sends different, inconsistent media messages, it is natural that this prolongs the negotiation process. Add to this the destructive factor rooted in our region that has prevented any process of de-escalation: the Zionist regime.”

Baghaei added: “One very clear reason for the escalation of the Zionist regime’s crimes in recent days in Palestine and Lebanon can be nothing other than to destroy any possibility or glimmer of hope that diplomatic processes might lead to an improvement in the situation. This is also a responsibility that falls on the U.S. We cannot consider the U.S. and the Zionist regime as two separate actors. Whatever is happening in Lebanon, whatever we are witnessing in our region and throughout West Asia due to the actions of the Zionist regime, the U.S. is a constant presence, and the U.S. is responsible for the consequences of its unconditional support for the Zionist regime.”

The Kuwaiti government is obliged under international law to provide Iran consular access to detained citizens

Regarding the Iranian citizens detained in Kuwait, Baqaei said: “Four Iranian citizens, about whom we have previously spoken and issued a statement, were unjustifiably arrested by Kuwait. The Kuwaiti government is obliged under international law and relevant international conventions to provide consular access to Iran. The rights of our citizens under international law are completely clear, and our explicit expectation from the relevant Kuwaiti authorities is to clarify the situation as soon as possible, provide our embassy with consular access to the detained Iranian nationals, and not allow this issue to become another point of severe tension between the two countries.”

He added: “It is a fact that unfortunately, the territory and facilities of some regional countries have been exploited or used by the U.S. and the Zionist regime to attack Iran. This action is completely illegal, contrary to the principle of good neighborliness, and will have very unpleasant consequences for bilateral relations and the future of the region.”