Nournews: Speaking at his weekly press conference in response to a question from Nournews about the concept of "dignified peace" and the portrayal of Iranian society as divided between supporters of war and peace, Baghaei said no rational person welcomes war. However, he added that when war is imposed on a country under false pretexts, peace should not be confused with passivity.
"In this region, peace is not a gift but a precious objective achieved through the sacrifices of the nation's finest sons and daughters," he said.
Rejecting the "warmonger versus peace advocate" narrative, Baghaei said any attempt to undermine Iran's defense capabilities runs counter to national interests. He emphasized that diplomacy and military deterrence are complementary pillars in achieving what he described as a "dignified peace."
"Anyone who genuinely seeks peace today must fully support both the defenders of the homeland and the diplomats on the front lines," he said, adding that both are working toward lasting security for Iran and that separating these two paths would undermine national security.
Chabahar's Security Is Tehran's Security
Opening the press conference, Baghaei stressed that no part of Iran is separate from the country's national security.
"If the peace of a child in Ahvaz or Chabahar is disrupted, the entire nation will rise to defend them," he said.
He condemned attacks on bridges, hospitals and vital civilian infrastructure, describing them as crimes against humanity that go far beyond physical destruction and cannot be justified by any political or military argument.
Paying tribute to residents of Bushehr, Khuzestan, and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, Baghaei praised their long-standing role in safeguarding energy security and maritime trade. He said these border regions are "not distant outposts but among the closest places to the heart of greater Iran."
"The strength of the country's defenders, born of the collective resolve of the Iranian people, will strike fear into those who have targeted this nation's resilience," he added.
"Negative Energy" of Crime Supporters Led to Argentina's Defeat
Commenting on Spain's World Cup triumph, Baghaei described the victory as a symbolic success against what he called "Zionist lobbies."
Congratulating Spain for its anti-genocide positions, he said Argentina's defeat reflected the "negative energy" of those who have supported crimes against the people of Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, exposing what he called the political nature of this edition of the World Cup.
He described the tournament as "the most political sporting event in recent years," arguing that Spain's title represented not only athletic success but also resistance against oppression and genocide. He contrasted that with what he described as organized discrimination against Iran's national football team.
Attack on Darkhovin Site a "Blatant Violation" of the NPT
Responding to a question about possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or a review of Iran's nuclear doctrine following the attack on the Darkhovin nuclear site, Baghaei said reviewing all strategic options to safeguard Iran's national security is "an ongoing and permanent process."
He stressed that Iran remains committed to its obligations under the NPT but said those commitments should not be used as a pretext to ignore the country's rights.
Referring to the recent U.S. strike on the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear facility, Baghaei called it "a blatant violation" of international law and the principles governing the NPT. He also sharply criticized what he described as the International Atomic Energy Agency's double standards and silence over the incident.
Nournews