Iran vows deterrent response to any aggression amid US, Israeli threats

Iran has warned that the country would deliver a “regret-inducing response” to any act of aggression, stressing that Iran is now more capable than in the past.

Addressing reporters at his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei reacted to recent US actions in the region and the holding of military drills.

“We have faced, and continue to face, a form of hybrid warfare. Following the June aggression, over the past few months, we have been confronted with new threats from the United States and the Zionist regime,” he said.

Foreign-instigated riots in Iran escalated on January 8 and continued for several days, following peaceful protests in Iranian bazaars and markets where traders called for government action to halt the devaluation of the Iranian rial.

The violence, encouraged openly by the Israeli regime and US President Donald Trump, resulted in extensive damage to public and private property, with widespread destruction of shops, government institutions, public service facilities, and the killing of thousands of civilians, including women and children, as well as security forces.

Iranian authorities have confirmed that US and Israeli spy agencies were directly involved, providing funding, training, and media support to rioters and armed terrorists acting on the streets.

Baghaei noted that countries in the region are aware that any insecurity in the region is not directed solely at Iran, which is why there is a shared concern among regional states.

“Iran has confidence in its own capabilities and has also kept the experiences of June in mind, and it will respond to any aggression more powerfully than in the past with a regret-inducing response,” he added.

Baghaei condemned the recent anti-Iran resolution at the UN Human Rights Council, saying it has caused divisions within the international community.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appreciates Pakistan’s support for the Islamic Republic, particularly Islamabad’s stance and vote against an anti-Iran resolution at the UN Human Rights Council.

The UNHRC adopted a resolution that extended the mandate of the so-called Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran for two years, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran for one year.

The resolution also called for an urgent investigation by the Fact-Finding Mission, in the context of what it called the crackdown of the recent foreign-backed unrest in Iran.

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 25 in favor, seven against, and 14 abstentions.

The Iranian diplomat noted that Germany and the United Kingdom, which proposed the resolution, tried to persuade the world to accept a distorted narrative of events in Iran.

In practice, nearly half of the Council members either voted against or abstained, sending an important message, he said, thanking the countries that responsibly recognized the reality.

Regarding the European Parliament’s designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a "terrorist organization," Baghaei underlined that their labeling of part of a nation’s official armed forces is contrary to international law and carries serious consequences.

He added that targeting a national institution with offensive labels risks encouraging the spread of terrorist groups, and Iran will certainly respond.

Baghaei criticized America’s approach to human rights as hypocritical. He said events in occupied Palestine did not even trigger a Human Rights Council session, while Israeli authorities with records of wrongdoing are easily relocated, yet Iranian officials face arbitrary restrictions.

He further said the US openly pursues policies of exploiting other countries, calling the recent suppression of protesters in the US a clear human rights violation.

Protesters in Minneapolis are already defying the arctic weather to take to the streets and condemn the killing of Alex Pretti, 37, by federal immigration agents. And demonstrations are spreading across the country.

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Baghaei noted that Israel’s threats and provocations are at the root of instability in West Asia. Despite an apparent ceasefire in occupied Palestine and Lebanon, Israeli attacks on civilians continue.

He noted that just last night, Israel violated Lebanese airspace 15 times, and over the past year, there have been 6,000 ceasefire violations.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian diplomat said the country maintains long-standing and reciprocal relations with Russia and China, with a history of extensive defense cooperation. He emphasized that these collaborations will continue robustly.

“Russia and China are members of the Security Council and are certainly concerned about the Council’s responsibilities toward maintaining peace. We are also in close contact with both countries regarding recent developments,” he emphasized.

Regarding Greenland, he said Iran’s position is clear, and that respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries is a fundamental principle.

He added that the selective application of these principles undermines their credibility, highlighting a challenge faced by Western nations.

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