Eu Day Light

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran is one of the countries bearing the greatest responsibility for collective security in remarks on regional security issues.

Baqaei argued that some Gulf countries have contributed to regional tensions, saying: "If the Gulf Cooperation Council believes that the solution to these concerns lies in taking shelter with the greatest violator of regional security, this in itself represents a departure from the desired objective, a bitter paradox, and a disappointing sign that no lessons have been learned from the recent painful experiences."

Stating that Iran's defense capabilities are "part of its legitimate right to self-defense," Baqaei said: "Our southern neighbors should be asked: Why did they, contrary to the principle of good neighborliness and the fundamental rules of international law, participate in aggression against their Muslim neighbor and allow their territory to be used against Iran or missiles to be launched from it? Why do they ignore the destructive arms race and the purchase and stockpiling of hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of advanced weapons with no defensive justification? Why do they ignore the repeated aggression of the Zionist entity against countries in the region and its occupation of Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian territories? Why do they remain silent in the face of Israel's nuclear arsenal, which is outside any international oversight, while the conventional defense capabilities of a country repeatedly threatened and attacked by its neighbors are portrayed as a 'threat'? It should be clear to everyone that Iran's military capabilities guarantee the Iranian people's legitimate right to defend themselves against aggression and crimes, while also ensuring peace and stability in the region. Iran's national security and dignity are not matters for bargaining or conditionality. Just as the legitimate right to self-defense is not open to debate, neither are the means of that defense subject to negotiation or compromise with any party."