Iran Press/ Iran News: Saeed Khatibzadeh, Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, today (Monday) in a weekly meeting with reporters, held a video conference, explaining the latest developments in foreign policy answered the questions of domestic and foreign reporters.
In response to a question, the Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that the law of the parliament was binding, regarding the extension of the agreement between Iran and the IAEA, stating that if this agreement was extended, the IAEA would not be given access beyond safeguard agreement.
Elsewhere Khatibzadeh referred to Vienna talks and added: "A very high percentage of vacancies in the working groups have been filled and we insist on our positions within the framework of the high policy of the system and has announced and will follow the positions. At the same time, we do not want the talks to be attritional. Yesterday, the Araghchi had meetings with European parties and decided to help in the field of working groups. If conclusions need the delegations to return to their capitals, it will be done."
The senior Iranian diplomat also said in response to a question about holding elections abroad: "For the past few weeks, we have had our meetings inside the Foreign Ministry regarding the headquarters for holding elections abroad, and this headquarters has been formed in the consular and parliamentary departments. All departments and agencies that are supposed to be members are in the headquarters, and rulings have been issued and these meetings are held regularly, and ballot boxes will be prepared in all capitals and cities where the foreign ministry has an active office, in coordination with the host government. We will announce the results of the activities in more detail."
The spokesman said in response to a question about Middle East Eye's claim that Iran had asked for help in selling oil and circumventing US sanctions in talks with Saudi Arabia: "This is news and it is not true, and our talks with Saudi Arabia is being pursued on bilateral regional and international issues, and these rumors are not true."
In response to another question that in a few days we will be nearing the end of the quarterly agreement between Iran and the IAEA, and whether this agreement will be renewed according to the discussions, the diplomat said: "The law of the parliament is binding and what was agreed between Iran and the IAEA is within the same framework. The law of the parliament is to stop granting access beyond safeguard agreement to the IAEA and it has started in the last three months and now the agency has no access beyond safeguard agreement and we agreed that the videos should be recorded and not given to them. We can delete the contents of the tapes at the end of three months or extend the agreement based on an internal decision made by lawmakers.
Khatibzadeh noted: "This agreement that we made between Iran and the IAEA, if it is concluded, is an internal matter between us and the IAEA, and that continuing to do so would not be a violation of the law of the parliament. Negotiations are on track, this decision may be made internally, but in either case, access beyond safeguard agreements will not be granted to the Agency.
Iran voices support for Palestine
Khatibzadeh first made remarks in Arabic in this regard, referring to the recent developments in the occupied territories and the shameful crimes of the Israeli regime.
He said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the new round of brutal aggression by the Zionist regime against the defenseless people of Palestine and Gaza, which led to the martyrdom of dozens of civilians, including women and children, and the destruction of many residential buildings and homes which is a clear sign of human rights violations of humanitarian law.
Khatibzadeh noted: "Unfortunately, under the shameless support of some Western states, we see that the aggression of the Zionist regime has increased, and therefore, the Palestinian people, who are fighting to regain all their rights, have an inherent and natural right to defend their own lands, and as long as the steadfast nation of Palestine achieves all its rights and exercises its sovereignty over the entire land of Palestine, legitimate resistance is the only way to counter the aggression and occupation of this regime."
He said: "The realization of Palestinian rights is not just an Arab-Islamic issue but a global responsibility and the Islamic Republic of Iran - along with the Islamic nations and all free nations of the world that are committed to defending the oppressed - stands by the heroic people of Palestine and calls on the governments and responsible international organizations to end their unacceptable neutrality towards the aggressor.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We also call on Muslim nations, organizations, and governments, especially the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to stand by the oppressed and defenseless Palestinian people on a united front against the blatant aggression and terrorist acts of the Zionist army. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the criminal actions of the occupying regime in Quds are a crime against humanity and should be recognized as genocide and a crime against humanity.
The official underlined: "In addition, we warn the international community that the Zionist regime, by trying to create insecurity and instability in the entire region, seeks to achieve sinister and dangerous goals that ultimately threaten world peace and security. In this regard, we call on the UN Security Council to fulfill its inherent mission and duty and not to allow the rights of the Palestinian people to be violated by the occupying regime in Quds and its supporters by pressuring the fake Israeli regime to end its aggression and terrorism immediately.
The spokesman added: "Finally, I emphasize that the only just solution to the Palestinian question is to hold a referendum with the participation of all true Palestinians, Muslims, Christians, and Jews, in line with the right to self-determination. I hope we will soon see a moment when our eyes will be enlightened by seeing Palestine liberated, safe, and without occupation.
He added: "I hope that the Palestinian cause will be realized soon and we will see the liberation of Palestine."
The Foreign Ministry spokesman referred to FM Zarif and his Iraqi counterpart's phone call on the developments in Iraq and the events near the Iranian Consulate General in Karbala, adding that the Foreign Minister had a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart on the developments in the Occupied Territories.
Khatibzadeh referred to Zarif's visit to Syria, as well as the Foreign Minister's European tour to Spain and Italy, and added: "Today, he will begin bilateral meetings with Italy with Vatican officials."
He said: "Talks have been held in Vienna and these meetings are still going on and we are waiting for a joint commission meeting to be held in Vienna this week if necessary."
The spokesman, in response to a question about the preliminary agreement between Iran and the P4+1, said: "Talks are continuing. There is no initial agreement and no agreement is reached unless everything is agreed upon."
Khatibzadeh said about the cancellation of Zarif's trip to Vienna: "During Zarif's European tour, some trips were being finalized. Considering all the circumstances, we decided not to make this trip and Zarif did not consider this trip expedient. Iran proudly stands by the oppressed people of Palestine."
The Foreign Ministry spokesman stated: "Our decision is a definite decision to always support the legitimate and moral resistance of the Palestinian people."
Regarding the talks in Vienna, he said: "Silence is not news and, of course, making news does not make sense. What is in Vienna is the continuation of technical talks in the three core working groups, the lifting of sanctions, and executive arrangements."
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