Iran to Honor Former Hezbollah Chief with High-Level Attendance at Funeral, Says Ministry Spokesperson
Tehran, IRNA – The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, announced that Iran will be attending the funeral ceremony for the former Secretary General of Lebanese Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, at the highest possible level. This significant event underscores Iran’s commitment to its regional allies.
During a regular press briefing on Monday, Baghaei emphasized the importance of Nasrallah’s funeral and confirmed Iran’s high-level participation. However, he did not disclose specific details regarding the attendees.
In response to a recent disagreement with the Lebanese government over the restriction of Iranian passenger aircraft flying to Lebanon, Baghaei commented on a phone conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Lebanese counterpart. He stated that:
- Araghchi has stressed: Third parties should not interfere in decision-making processes.
- Ongoing dialogues: “Conversations continue, and we hope to reach a rational solution that would meet the interests of Iranian and Lebanese people,” he added.
U.S. Diplomacy Under Scrutiny
Baghaei criticized U.S. officials for their contradictory statements regarding Iran, remarking:
- “You can’t on one hand threaten [someone] with ‘obliteration’ and on the other claim to support negotiations.”
Support for Iranian Expatriates in the U.S.
In a related matter, Baghaei stated that Iran’s Interests Section in Washington, D.C., is prepared to assist Iranian expatriates who have been expelled from the United States. He condemned the expulsions as violations of international law and human rights.
Concerns Over Iranian Nationals in France
Regarding the tragic murders of two Iranian nationals in France, Baghaei expressed his expectation for French authorities to provide:
- More precise and transparent information about the nature of the crime and its motivations.
He added, “We are following up on the matter through our Embassy in France and France’s Embassy in Tehran.”
No Message from Qatar’s Emir
When asked if Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani would deliver a message from the U.S. to Iran during his upcoming visit, Baghaei responded negatively.
IAEA Responsibilities
On matters concerning the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Baghaei advised Director Rafael Grossi to focus on issues within his scope of authority and avoid political provocations.
Strong Iran-China Relations
Finally, addressing rumors regarding China rejecting Iranian oil shipments, Baghaei asserted that:
- Iran-China relations remain “very strong and solid,” based on historical ties and mutual interests.
- He expressed confidence that these relations would persist despite external pressures.
