The Islamic Republic decided not to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit after carefully reviewing the potential benefits and risks, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Monday but insisted the move would not diminish Tehran’s influence in regional or international developments.
The government had received an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi addressed to President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters on Monday. The decision not to attend, he said, was made “after thorough discussions inside and outside the ministry,” with all “positive and negative aspects evaluated before a final choice that serves national interests” was announced.
Responding to suggestions that Iran’s absence could weaken its regional role, Baghaei said, “Iran’s influence and role in regional and international developments go far beyond physical participation in any single event.” Tehran’s presence “cannot be confined to attending or not attending one international meeting,” he added.
“Iran remains one of the most active countries in opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza,” Baghaei added, saying Iran “will continue its work actively and is confident of its impact wherever necessary.”
Asked about the US-led peace proposal and the summit chaired by President Donald Trump, Baghaei said Iran is “closely evaluating the developments” surrounding the plan. “The Islamic Republic is in a position to turn any threat into an opportunity and to chart a course for securing its national interests from within challenges,” he said.
Tehran has long studied every aspect of the Gaza conflict and continues to oppose the ongoing violence, he noted.
“Fortunately, Iran is in a position to counter any sanctions and to identify and use every opportunity arising from challenges in the interest of the nation.”
Other diplomatic matters
Baghaei also confirmed that Iran’s ambassadors to Germany, France, and the United Kingdom — who had been recalled for consultations — have returned to their posts.
Asked about Trump’s recent remarks that US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities helped pave the way for the Gaza peace deal, Baghaei said such remarks “should be asked of them [the Americans],” adding that “Iran has always firmly defended its interests and continues to use all its capacities to confront foreign adventurism.”
