Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference on Monday, Esmaeil Baghaei said the Israeli prime minister’s claims about his intention to realize the idea of the so-called “Greater Israel” plan, which includes a significant portion of Arab and Islamic lands, indicate that the regime knows no boundaries when it comes to its expansionist goals.
He added that Israel’s persisting genocide in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank simultaneously, as it sets its eye on the territories of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and even a considerable portion of Saudi Arabia, clearly shows that the regime poses a threat to regional security and stability.
Baghaei said that all regional countries have become more aware of the continuation of Israel’s expansionism, warning, “If this expansionism [of the Israeli regime] is not curbed, our region will undoubtedly face endless wars.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli media last Tuesday that he feels a deep connection to the vision of a “Greater Israel,” referring to the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories as well as parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, and described it as “a historical and spiritual mission.”
A day later, Baghaei, in a statement, strongly condemned the Israeli prime minister’s “Greater Israel" plan, saying such ambitions represented a blatant breach of the United Nations Charter and fundamental principles of international law.
The Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas also denounced Netanyahu’s support of the so-called "Greater Israel" scheme, saying it reflects the “madness and delirium” that govern his behavior and his extremist ruling gang.
Lebanon, regional states well aware of US schemes in region
In response to a question about a US proposal on disarming the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, Baghaei said the United States has never played a positive role in the region.
He added that the “very evident and one-sided” interference of the US in the regional countries’ affairs is “solely aimed at securing and guaranteeing the interests of the Zionist regime.”
“The people of Lebanon and other regional countries are well aware of the role and plans of the US in the region,” the spokesman said, noting that such plots only aim to sow discord and cause chaos in the region.
Hamas has announced that it would not disarm until an independent Palestinian state is established with al-Quds as its capital.
Pointing to Israel’s plots against the Palestinian people in Gaza, Baghaei said the regime’s forced eviction would complete the regime’s genocide plan and eradication of Palestine as an identity and a nation.
He added that the occupying regime has decided to completely evacuate Gaza City and forcibly displace nearly one million Palestinian people to the south of the Strip at the same time that they are struggling with starvation, lack of medicine, and hunger.
Despite strong opposition from the international community and regional countries to the forced displacement of people in Gaza, Israel remains determined to continue its measures due to the unwavering US support and the continued impunity for the regime’s heinous crimes.
Baghaei also dismissed as media propaganda the Israeli prime minister’s remarks about water shortage in Iran.
“Those who are known for stealing water and water resources from their neighbors and the oppressed Palestinian people, and who attacked the main water pipeline in northern Tehran as one of their primary targets during their military aggression against Iran, have no legitimacy to speak on such issues,” he said.
Iran on constant vigilance about South Caucasus security
The Iranian spokesperson said the country remains constantly vigilant to make sure that the intervention or presence of extra-regional parties will not undermine peace, stability and security in the South Caucasus region.
Baghaei added that immediately after the signing of a US-brokered peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iran expressed its position, saying it is “sensitive” to the presence and interference of extra-regional sides in the South Caucasus.
The establishment of connecting and transportation routes must in no way violate recognized international borders, infringe on Armenia's national sovereignty and alter regional geopolitics, he emphasized as Iran’s vital considerations.
He noted that the presence of US and NATO military forces in regional countries will not promote but will rather undermine stability.
“In safeguarding our borders, we are certainly monitoring developments closely and will take all necessary actions to protect our borders,” the Iranian spokesman pointed out.
Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a US-brokered peace in Washington on August 8, under which a transport corridor linking Azerbaijan to its landlocked exclave Nakhchivan is to be established.
Under the deal, Armenia granted exclusive rights to the US to develop a corridor in its southern Syunik province, which borders Iran, to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan.
Iran has long opposed the idea, saying it would change the geopolitical order of the Southern Caucasus and would restrict Iran’s ability to use transport networks in the region.
Iran welcomes any initiative aimed at ending war in Ukraine
Baghaei once again reiterated Iran’s stance on the peaceful settlement of differences, saying Tehran welcomes any initiative aimed at putting an end to the war and conflict in Ukraine.
“However, it should be noted that the United States, as a party that has a notorious history in international negotiations, should make great efforts to win various parties’ trust,” he pointed out.
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin attended a high-profile and high-stakes summit in Anchorage, Alaska, without a ceasefire deal, although declaring the meeting “productive.”
Trump has reportedly told his European counterparts he had agreed with Putin’s demand that Ukraine make territorial concessions to end the conflict.
The US president has said in talks with European leaders that a peace agreement can be reached if Ukraine agrees to offer the Donbas region to Russia.