Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman also addressed mounting tensions with Washington, saying Iran had learned from what he described as repeated US “bad faith” over the past decade and stressing that “threats are not compatible with diplomacy.”
At the same time, he said Iran remained committed to diplomacy to safeguard its national interests and regional stability, and that Tehran was reviewing the “structure” of any potential negotiations as regional states pass messages between the sides.
Details of various diplomatic processes to manage tensions with the US are being examined, he added.
Baghaei said lifting sanctions remained a core priority for Iran, arguing that the nuclear issue had long been used as a pretext to pressure Tehran, and that any confidence-building would have to be matched by the removal of what he called “unjust” sanctions.
Baghaei also dismissed speculation over military drills, saying there had been no change in Iran’s regular exercises, including annual joint naval drills with Russia and China, and accused some media of trying to inflame public anxiety.