Monday, April 13, 2026
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Israel Has No Right to Comment on Rights Situation in Iran: Diplomat

Esmail Baghaei Hamaneh made the remarks in response to the recent baseless accusations levelled against Tehran by Tel Aviv.

“The occupiers of Quds, morally speaking, have no right to make comments about the lofty concept of human rights in Iran,” he said at the 46th meeting of the UN Human Rights Council where a number of members pressed baseless charges against Iran.

“The Israeli regime can best be described under Resolution 3379 dated November 10, 1975 of the UN General Assembly” as a racist regime, he added.

“It is regrettable that some governments focus on undermining the rule of law in developing countries by targeting their judicial systems under the pretext of defending human rights,” the Iranian diplomat added.

He underscored no country or group of countries should reserve the right to dictate their priorities and the ideals of their systems to others.

He called on the UN Human Rights Council to distance itself from politicization, double standards, stigmatizing others and clichés.

“It is regrettable that some governments such as Canada, Australia, Britain, Denmark, the United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Sweden reserve the right to point the finger at others as if they were role models when it comes to human rights and pretend that no one is aware of their contradictory performance both inside the country and outside,” he said.

Baghaei added these countries stand accused of exporting weapons to aggressor countries which grossly violate human rights in the world and enforcing unilateral policies against developing nations.

Iranian Cargo Ship Hit by ‘Terrorist Attack’ in Mediterranean: IRISL

A spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines said the vessel was attacked on Wednesday.

He said the explosive object caused a small fire in the ship, which was immediately contained by crew members, and no one was injured.

According to the spokesman, Iran considers the attack an act of terrorism and will legally pursue it to find the perpetrators.

He also noted that the Europe-bound vessel will continue its trip once it is repaired.

Iranian Cargo Ship Hit by 'Terrorist Attack' in Mediterranean: IRISL

Iran Says Its Cooperation with Russia Now Beyond Limits of Bilateral Ties

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami visited Russia in March 2001, and signed the treaty on the basis for mutual relations and the principles of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation with President Vladimir Putin.

That came in a statement released by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, marking the 20th anniversary of the 2001 treaty on the basis for mutual relations and the principles of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation.

“The 20th anniversary of “treaty on the basis for mutual relations and the principles of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation” has coincided with an exchange of message between the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation,” the statement said.

It said the Islamic Republic of Iran views the Russian Federation as a powerful neighbour and its friend based on “mutual respect and cooperation”, and is interested in further expansion of its relations with this country in all fields.

“Thanks to the resolve of Iranian and Russian leaders and top officials, the two countries’ collaborations aimed at serving common interests have gone beyond the limits of bilateral relations, and have now entered the level of helping ensure the regional and international security, and are stronger than ever,” the statement noted.

It also noted that Iran and Russia are in full solidarity against “anti-human and unilateral sanctions”, “Western interference in the affairs of other countries”, “preventing third parties from playing a role in their relations”, and the necessity of “respecting the international law”.

Russo-Iranian links were placed on a firmer legal basis when Iranian President Mohammad Khatami visited Russia in March 2001, and signed the treaty on the basis for mutual relations and the principles of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation with President Vladimir Putin. This visit gave an impetus to what had been a flagging relationship.

Iran Berates Seoul for Refusing to Release Its Assets under US Pressure

Iran May Reconsider Ties with S Korea over Frozen Assets: MP

Abdolnasser Hemmati made the comment after the publication of media reports quoting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as saying Washington will not release Iran’s assets in South Korea unless Tehran returns to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“From the outset, it was clear that the [South] Korean government cannot decide independently to settle problems pertaining to Iran’s forex resources,” said Hemmati.

“The request for talks [with Iran] was put forward by the [South] Korean ambassador [to Tehran], and it was South Korean officials themselves that agreed to return Iran’s financial resources,” the CBI governor added.

“In that meeting, I asked them whether or not they had gotten the necessary permission from the Americans,” he said.

Hemmati underlined that the CBI is drawing up its plan regardless of its frozen assets in other countries.

“The CBI has regulated its program to meet the country’s forex needs irrespective of its frozen resources in South Korea and other countries,” he said.

Hemmati noted the CBI is using revenues from non-oil exports as well as “imports-for-exports” plans to provide the necessary foreign currency for the procurement of basic commodities, medicines and medical equipment.

Iran Respects China’s New Law on Hong Kong Electoral System

“We respect the decision made by China on its sovereignty,” said Saeed Khatibzadeh when asked by reporters on Thursday about the adoption of the new Hong Kong election law at the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China.

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is part of China’s territorial integrity, so affairs related to it are regarded as China’s internal affairs,” he added.

“Over these years, China has shown that it well conforms to the principle of ‘one country – two systems’ in Hong Kong,” the spokesman noted.
“Law-making by the People’s Congress of China about the election system is within the powers vested in this institution and is in line with the ‘one country – two systems’ principle,” said Khatibzadeh.

“So, any foreign interference in China’s domestic affairs which, among other things, may undermine Hong Kong’s stability, is naturally rejected,” he noted.

Khatibzadeh’s remarks came after the NPC, the highest organ of state power in China, adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Repeating Trump’s Policy Won’t Yield New Results for US: Zarif

“US claims it favours diplomacy; not Trump’s failed policy of ‘maximum pressure’,” Zarif said in a Thursday tweet.

“Yet Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken boasts about blocking [South] Korea from transferring our OWN money to the Swiss Channel—only used for food and medicine,” Zarif added.

“Repeating the same policy won’t yield new results,” he said, adding that the only way is to Commit, Act, and Meet.

Iran’s Leader Rebukes US for Double Standards on Human Rights

In a televised speech on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the state-sponsored brutal murder of Khashoggi in 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Turkey at the hands of the agents of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and slammed the United States for turning a blind eye to the gruesome assassination.

They support a country that dismembers its dissident with bone saw, but still claim to be advocates of human rights, the Leader noted.

The Leader further pointed to Washington’s destructive role in the Middle East region, where it has been using the ISIS terror group to advance its personal agenda.

“The US created ISIS and they (the Americans) themselves admitted to it…Then, they created a military base under the pretext of the existence of ISIS …. They provide ISIS with modern media facilities and money and allow them to destroy and sell Syrian oil, then they say ‘we are fighting ISIS’,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

“They (the Americans) refer to Iran’s presence in the region with hatred and resentment. While we do not have a military presence…Wherever we are present, we are there to defend legitimate governments at their own request. But they (Americans) themselves attack a country without permission and establish a military base,” he added.

The Leader referred to the US as the possessor of the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, while claiming to be against weapons of mass destruction.

“America is the only government that has used nuclear bombs, but raises its voice to say that ‘we are against the development of nuclear arms.’ They claim to be against weapons of mass destruction, while they possess the worst and the most dangerous such weapons.”

Iranian, Finnish Foreign Ministers Discuss JCPOA, Bilateral Ties

During the phone call, the two sides conferred on bilateral political, economic, and consular collaborations, the JCPOA, the regional issues and international developments.

Foreign Minister Zarif recalled the US’ violation of its commitments under the JCPOA, the imposition of cruel and unlawful sanctions against Iran, and Europe’s inaction towards Washington’s move, and stressed that Iran showed self-restraint and implemented all its commitments for one year after the re-imposition of sanctions.

“Iran’s remedial steps are within the JCPOA framework, and are aimed at restoring balance and maintaining the nuclear deal,” he added.

“If the US lifts its illegal sanctions [against Iran] and implements its obligations as per the JCPOA, Iran will also reverse its remedial steps, all of which are reversible,” Zarif said.

He also invited his Finnish counterpart to visit Tehran in an appropriate time.

Haavisto, in turn, expressed his country’s support for the JCPOA, and called for giving more chance to diplomacy.

He further discussed bilateral collaborations in political, economic, health, and consular aspects, and underlined the interactions between Iranian and Finnish research centres.

He further invited Foreign Minister Zarif to attend a meeting of European foreign ministers within the framework of Helsinki Forum.

Iranian, Japanese Foreign Ministers Hold Phone Talks

During the phone call, the two sides exchanged views on ways of enhancing and boosting mutual relations as well as the latest regional and international developments.

The 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was also among the topics discussed by the two sides.

The top Japanese diplomat highlighted the importance of exploring avenues to promote relations between Tehran and Tokyo.

He expressed Japan’s support for the JCPOA and stressed the need for all signatories to the deal to live up to their obligations.

He also expressed hope as the pandemic situation improves, he will be able to visit Tehran in the near future.

Zarif, for his part, welcomed the enhancement of relations between the two countries and the upcoming trip to Tehran by his opposite number.

He said once the other signatories to the JCPOA keep their side of the bargain and as soon as sanctions are lifted, Iran will deliver on its JCPOA obligations again.

Zarif highlighted Iran’s constructive role in harnessing regional crises, and elaborated on the measures adopted, including cooperation with the UN secretary general’s envoy for Yemen.

US Must Take First Step to Return to JCPOA: Zarif

In comments on Wednesday, Mohammad Javad Zarif said it was the US that withdrew from the JCPOA, so it should step forward and rejoin the agreement.

The top diplomat said the administration of former US President Donald Trump itself confirmed that Iran was implementing the JCPOA, adding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also corroborated Iran’s compliance with the agreement.

Tehran does not trust the West, he added.

“Iran has no trust in Western countries, which never implemented the JCPOA properly,” he said.

If the West settles this issue, he noted, Iran will fully implement the JCPOA as well.