Phnom penh: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated on Monday that his country will not allow the war to conclude based on conditions imposed by the "aggressive" parties. "We have definitely not been the party to start the war, but we will not let the war's end be based on the aggressive parties' conditions," Baghaei asserted during a weekly press conference in Tehran.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Baghaei emphasized Iran's commitment to defending its territory, declaring that it would not "compromise with the aggressive parties" or succumb to their "excessive demands." He refuted U.S. assertions that the Strait of Hormuz was operational, alleging these claims were part of "psychological and media warfare."
Baghaei criticized the recent U.S. anti-Iran economic initiative, asserting that Tehran would leverage all its "multilateral capacities" to counter the sanctions, which he described as detrimental to free trade and national sovereignty. He cautioned that nations aiding U.S. anti-Iran efforts might face repercussions, denouncing the U.S. naval blockade as an "act of aggression."
When questioned about Western media reports suggesting Iran might target U.S. bases in Europe if hostilities resumed, Baghaei affirmed Iran's right to target any origin and source of "act of aggression" if another nation permitted its bases, facilities, and equipment for such purposes.
The conflict escalated when Israel and the United States launched joint assaults on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28, resulting in the death of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, military leaders, and civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel and U.S. bases in the region, increasing its control over the Strait of Hormuz by restricting passage of vessels associated with Israel and the United States.
A ceasefire was brokered on April 8, and on June 18, Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict on all fronts, including in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump recently declared "the most crushing economic operation ever taken" against any nation supporting Iran, labeling the measure as "an ECONOMIC D-DAY."