Iran’s Foreign Ministry has reiterated that the country stands ready with full capacity to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In an exclusive interview with Tunisia’s Al-Shorouk newspaper, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran is determined to use all its capabilities in the face of potential aggression.

“We are determined to use all our capacities and capabilities to counter any hostile action by our enemies, and the operational experience gained through three rounds of heroic defense will serve as our foundation along this path,” Baghaei said.

On the impact of the current situation on the Persian Gulf region and the global economy, Baghaei said the US-Israeli aggression against Iran is a clear violation of international law.

He said attacks on residential areas and infrastructure, targeting maritime shipping, and imposing a naval blockade constitute war crimes and violations of legal, ethical and humanitarian principles.

“These actions naturally do not affect Iran alone,” Baghaei said, noting that when a country’s national sovereignty, trade, shipping and freedom of navigation are targeted, the consequences extend across the region and ultimately affect the global economy and international trade.

“What we are witnessing today is the result of aggressive actions and destabilizing policies pursued by the United States and the Zionist regime.”

Baghaei said five decades of experience have demonstrated that pressure and threats could not force the Iranian nation to accept unlawful demands.

Asked whether recent developments could bring neighboring countries and members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) closer to Iran in opposing foreign military presence in the region, Baghaei said the events of recent months have given important lessons to regional countries.

“We have always emphasized that regional security must be ensured by the countries of the region themselves,” he said, adding that recent experience has shown that the military presence of foreign powers is a primary source of insecurity in the region.

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Baghaei reaffirmed Iran’s respect for the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of regional countries.

“Iran’s principled policy is based on good-neighborliness, the development of relations with regional countries in various fields, and regional cooperation.”

Tehran has long advocated the establishment of an indigenous regional security arrangement, the Iranian official said, adding that recent developments had created an opportunity for regional countries to engage in more realistic discussions about the future of Persian Gulf security.

Such an arrangement, Baghaei said, would not emerge overnight, but dialogue among regional countries and progress toward a shared understanding of regional security mechanisms are of the essence on the road to that goal.