Tehran, Iran – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned that the Ukrainian attack on an Iranian merchant ship that killed a sailor “will certainly not go unanswered,” according to the Fars News Agency. In his remarks, Baghaei emphasized that Iran “will not allow America to dictate the timing of war and peace,” asserting that his country will defend itself resolutely whenever its national interests require it, while simultaneously resorting to diplomacy whenever it deems it beneficial and in the national interest.
Harsh criticism of the Ukrainian leadership and Bulgarian responsibility
In a related context, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman strongly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s behavior, likening it to the “dramatic anarchist behavior on the eve of World War I, the consequences of which affected all of Europe.” He added, warning that the consequences of current Ukrainian actions would be “unpredictable,” both for Kyiv itself and for the entire region, reiterating that Tehran would respond firmly to what he called “Ukrainian adventurism.” The spokesman also addressed the regional and international arena, directly addressing the Bulgarian government and demanding that it be held officially accountable for providing its military bases to the United States for use as a launching pad for attacks on Iranian territory.
Dual tools between defense and diplomacy
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman concluded by emphasizing that his country’s decision to use military defense means or political diplomatic options is taken with precision and complete independence based on the country’s supreme interests, amid escalating regional and international tensions resulting from the expansion of the circle of engagement and recent field and naval confrontations.
