Baqaei responded to a question about renewed negotiations with the United States by emphasizing Iran’s current focus on defending its people after being targeted by the US and Israeli regime during negotiations for second time.
“We have been attacked,” Baqaei told NPR. “This is an unjust war that has been imposed upon our nation, and our approach to it is to stand firm, maintain resilience, and confront this injustice.”
Baqaie also addressed Iran’s nuclear program, noting its initial development with US support in the 1960s and 1970s. He pointed out that this is the second time in the past nine months Iran has been targeted by an aggression.
“As you may recall, the foreign minister of Oman stated last Friday that negotiations had made significant progress and a deal was within reach, and that we were scheduled to meet in Vienna tomorrow to discuss the technical aspects of any potential agreement,” Baqaei said. “However, yesterday morning (Saturday morning) we were attacked again. I was at work; the Foreign Ministry building in the south of the capital, near the residence of our Leader, which was targeted with over 28 missiles and has been completely destroyed. Many people lost their lives, including our Leader.”
The spokesperson highlighted that the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei had declared the development of nuclear weapons forbidden based on a religious edict, emphasizing that the production of any weapons of mass destruction is considered a violation of Islamic principles. Baqaei underscored the Leader’s dedication to Iran’s progress, both economically and in strengthening its defense capabilities against foreign aggression, recalling the eight-year Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, when Iran was targeted by Iraq’s Ba’th regime.
“Such an action is unprecedented and an attack on another country and the assassination of its leaders is a very dangerous and illegal act,” Baqaei stated, predicting serious repercussions for the region and the international community.
“In such circumstances, it is difficult to speak of international law. This attack is a clear violation of the principles of the United Nations, which emphasize respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries,” Baqaei stated. He further explained that a temporary council comprising the head of the judiciary, the president, and a representative of the Constitutional Council has been established according to the Iranian Constitution, with the Assembly of Experts tasked with electing a new leader. He expressed hope that this process would be completed within the next few days.
Regarding a potential change in the political system in Iran, Baqaei questioned the legitimacy of foreign countries demanding a shift in a nation’s governance, stating that such a decision is part of a people’s right to self-determination.
The spokesperson asked whether a country can accept an external power demanding a regime change in another nation.
“Choosing or determining a political system is part of the right to self‑determination, and no foreign country or actor has the right to demand a regime change in another state,” he said.
He added that this stance goes against United Nations principles.
The spokesperson said the Iranian people have shown they unite when faced with external aggression and stand for freedom, independence, dignity, and sovereignty.
“We respect peaceful protests,” he said. “We acknowledge economic difficulties and, as I noted, most of these stem from what the US government calls ‘paralyzing sanctions.’”
He said those sanctions violate international law and deprive Iranians of basic human rights.
“I hear the voice of the people, and ultimately it is the Iranian people who must decide their future.”
The spokesperson recalled that in 1979 the people chose a new system after a popular revolution against a dictatorship to secure freedom from foreign domination.
He warned that what the United States and Israel are doing against Iran violates the UN charter and international law.
He cited the first missiles fired at Iran that struck an elementary school in Minab in southern Iran, which killed 158 innocent child girls, many still buried under rubble.
Hospitals and medical centers in central Tehran were also targeted today.
“They even hit our Red Crescent,” he added. “These acts occur without any justification.”
He described them as an unprovoked and unjustified aggression.
“We are a peace‑seeking nation,” he said, pointing to Iran’s history of non‑aggression for over a century.
“The only attack we endured was from Saddam Hussein in the 1980s.”
The spokesperson reiterated that Iran does not seek war.
He said what is happening today in the region results from US and Israeli aggression against Iran.
“What options do we have?” he asked. “We defend our people and citizens.”
“History has taught us to defend ourselves,” he added, urging the international community to remain alert to the dangerous precedent this attack creates.
“If a rule emerges that any country can attack another simply because it dislikes its people and assassinates its leaders, we will quickly move toward a ‘law of the jungle.’”
The spokesperson said Iran has no problem with American people.
“This war is not theirs; it is the choice of the US government,” he added.
“We did not need to start this war,” he insisted. “It was America and Israel that started it.”
He noted that nearly 300 innocent Iranian citizens have been killed, including the 158 children mentioned earlier.