Iran says harassment of its commercial shipping shows US is still pursuing…

🖥 Iran says harassment of its commercial shipping shows US is still pursuing confrontation 📌 Tehran, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says continued US attacks, sanctions, and intimidation targeting Iranian commercial vessels show that Washington is still pursuing a policy of confrontation with Iran, describing the measures as acts of piracy. “When we describe these actions as piracy, we do not expect US officials to feel embarrassed, as they have openly admitted that they act like pirates and have even taken pride in doing so,” the spokesperson said on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran. ​ “These measures clearly reflect the United States’ hostility toward the Iranian nation and demonstrate that Washington remains committed to a path of confrontation with Iran, despite its repeated claims that diplomacy also matters,” he said, stressing that Iran will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard its national interests. ​ Responding to another question about messages from regional countries regarding their non-participation in the US military aggression against Iran, the spokesperson reiterated that Iran has no intention of attacking any country and acts solely in self-defense. ​ “Our defensive strikes target the bases and launch points used for attacks against Iran,” he said, stressing that Tehran harbors no hostility toward any regional state and respects their sovereignty and territorial integrity. ​ Baqaei urged neighboring countries to prevent the United States from using their territory or facilities to launch attacks on Iran. ​ He expressed hope that all regional countries would learn from the months-long US aggression against Iran that the continued US military presence in the region breeds only insecurity, division, and discord. ​ Responding to a question about Iran’s prospects for joining the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) and the potential impact of such membership on Iran-China relations in technology and economic cooperation, Baqaei said Iran welcomes the establishment of international and multilateral organizations and mechanisms that serve the interests of developing countries. ​ “We believe that the initiative can help break monopolies in one of the most important fields affecting virtually every aspect of human life,” he said, adding that Iran will certainly use the framework to strengthen cooperation with China, as well as with the other member states of WAICO. ​ Baqaei said Iran is seeking the swift parliamentary ratification of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, describing it as a key step toward strengthening cooperation among the five littoral states and preventing interference by extra-regional powers. ​ He noted that the convention prohibits the military presence of non-Caspian countries and does not address unresolved issues such as maritime boundaries or baselines, which will be negotiated separately. Ratification by all five coastal states is required for the convention to enter into force, he added. 📲 ​