Ghasemi's Reaction to American Official's Remarks on Iran's Role in Regional Instability

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry reacted to the statements of his American counterpart, who labeled the Islamic Republic as a "factor of instability" in the region, stating that Tehran plays an "irreplaceable role" in the fight against terrorism. According to Fars News Agency, Bahram Ghasemi on Wednesday, August 16, called the discussion about "Iran's threats" "repetitive" and "baseless," advising the American side to be realistic about the Islamic Republic's unique role in combating terrorism in the Middle East. One day prior to these remarks, Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, assured that the Trump administration would confront "all of Iran's threats." Nauert's comments were a response to remarks made by Hassan Rouhani, who warned that if Washington sought to revert to the pre-nuclear agreement experience, Iran would soon return to a situation "far more advanced than at the beginning of negotiations." However, Nauert emphasized that Iran's behaviors are fundamentally a "factor of instability" and that the nuclear deal cannot address all destabilizing activities. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, referring to Nauert's statements, said: "We are not surprised by the repetitive and unrealistic words of this American official and are aware of the intentions and goals of various officials in this country in repeating such baseless claims and accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It seems that the speaker of these words is not particularly interested in establishing peace, stability, and security in the Middle East and the world, nor satisfied with the declining trend of terrorism in Iraq and Syria." Bahram Ghasemi also emphasized the Islamic Republic's commitment to the nuclear deal and stated: "It seems that the claim of Iran violating the spirit of the nuclear deal by the U.S. State Department spokesperson is primarily aimed at diverting international public opinion from the unconstructive and provocative actions that have repeatedly been taken by this country against the Islamic Republic of Iran and obstructing Iran's full benefit from the advantages of the nuclear deal." Previously, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, criticized the nuclear agreement with Iran and six world powers again, stating that he believes the Iranians do not act according to the agreement and are not committed to its spirit. Trump has signed a congressional bill to intensify sanctions against Iran, paving the way for the complete sanctioning of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In this context, the head of Mossad warned about "Iran gaining power in the post-nuclear deal era," Nikki Haley stated that Iran should not be allowed to take the world hostage with the nuclear agreement, and the U.S. State Department emphasized "confronting all threats from Iran." Lavrov expressed hope that Iran would not exit the nuclear agreement.