Nournews: Speaking at a press conference with domestic and foreign media, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iranians are skilled at both chess and poker.

Responding to a Nournews question about a possible shift in Iran’s foreign policy behavior from “chess and strategic patience” to “poker and risk-taking,” Baghaei said: “Iranians have traditionally been professional chess players, and today they are also very good poker players.”

Asked whether Iran’s current approach could be described as a combination of strategic patience and risk-taking, he replied: “We are playing a combination of both now.”

The Bitter Experience of Iran’s Occupation on August 25: A Lesson in Strengthening National Deterrence

At the beginning of his press conference, Baghaei congratulated the public on the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad and Unity Week, and paid tribute to the “servants of the people” who were killed, particularly the late president and his colleagues. Referring to their photographs displayed in the press conference hall, he described them as role models of service to the Iranian people.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman then referred to the anniversary of August 25, saying: “Tomorrow marks one of the important days in our country’s contemporary history—the day Iran, despite officially declaring its neutrality during World War II, came under military attack and was occupied.”

Baghaei added: “We are all aware of the damage inflicted on the country during that occupation and the atrocities committed against the Iranian people. These events continued until 1946 and even led to the adoption of the first United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the occupation of Iran.”

He stressed that remembering these historical events is particularly important under current circumstances.

“This experience teaches us that only strength and moderation can prevent encroachment upon and aggression against Iran,” Baghaei said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran draws on this historical lesson and the experience of the Sacred Defense to strengthen its defense capabilities, enhance national power and safeguard the Iranian people.”

Any Country That Hosts Aggression Against Iran Will Be a Legitimate Target

Asked about reports of military activities by European countries and the possible use of their bases against Iran, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “Under international law, providing facilities and bases for carrying out an illegal and aggressive act constitutes participation in that crime.”

Warning countries that host U.S. military equipment, Baghaei said: “There is no reason for any country to have concerns about us unless it makes its bases and facilities available to the other side to carry out aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“In such circumstances, Iran has an inherent and legal right to target the source and origin of any act of aggression,” he added. “Iran will not compromise when defending its national interests.”

We Will Not Allow the War to End on the Aggressor’s Terms

In response to a question about the Islamic Republic’s conditions for ending the conflict, Baghaei reiterated that Iran had never initiated the war.

“We are defending our national sovereignty and the integrity of our country; therefore, naturally, the aggressor must be held accountable for its actions,” he said.

Emphasizing that there would be no leniency toward the aggressors, Baghaei added: “We will not allow the war to end on the terms of the aggressor.”

Referring to the presidency’s statements about the “Iranian people’s refusal to surrender to expansionism,” he said: “All branches of the Islamic Republic are determined and united in defending the country.”

He cautioned against misinterpretations in media coverage, saying: “At the highest levels of government, the Islamic Republic is serious about defending itself until it reaches an outcome that safeguards national interests and the country’s security, and it will under no circumstances accept excessive or unreasonable demands.”

We Did Not Start the War; the Current Costs Are for Preserving Iran’s Integrity

Responding to questions about the gap between the harsh economic realities facing the public and the country’s broader policy decisions, Baghaei stressed that officials are fully aware of people’s economic difficulties.

He said all branches of the government are aware of the details of people’s livelihoods and added: “We share the people’s difficulties, and the government has a duty to use all its capabilities to reduce these pressures. At the same time, however, we must also take the realities on the ground into account.”

Baghaei stressed that the authorities are aware of the economic hardship facing the public and reiterated that Iran had not initiated any war.

Addressing skepticism about diplomacy with the United States, he said: “Experience has shown that the other side does not honor its commitments even to its closest allies. We are well aware of the history of U.S. breaches of commitments, and we should not blame ourselves for continuing to face a situation caused by the enemy’s hostile actions.”

He added: “What has been imposed on the Iranian people today is a direct result of pressure from the hegemonic system. Nevertheless, preserving Iran’s integrity and preventing foreign interference comes with costs, and the people are cooperating with the government’s prudent approach to overcome these difficulties.”

“We did not seek war,” Baghaei said, “but we have stood firmly against these hostile actions to protect our territorial integrity and national sovereignty.”

Foreign Ministry Ranked Among the Country’s Top Agencies in Administrative Reform

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also discussed the ministry’s performance in implementing structural reforms, describing the ministry’s progress in administrative reform as a success.

Referring to a 17-point directive issued in June 2025 to reform the administrative system and strengthen executive processes, Baghaei said: “A special committee was established under the supervision of the Deputy for Administrative and Financial Affairs, and the results of its work have been clearly visible in various areas, particularly consular services.”

He pointed to the streamlined services provided to pilgrims during the Arbaeen pilgrimage as a successful example of these reforms, saying the measures have been implemented both inside Iran and at the country’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman went on to describe the difficult conditions of the past year and a half, amid pressure resulting from what he called wars imposed by the United States and Israel, saying Iran’s diplomacy had successfully continued during the crisis.

He stressed that Iran’s diplomatic network around the world had been able to explain the country’s positions and convey what he described as the Iranian people’s case to the international community.

Baghaei said that, based on assessments carried out, the Foreign Ministry has been ranked among the country’s top government agencies in implementing the proposed reforms. He attributed the achievement to organizational discipline under difficult circumstances.