No to imported Zionists; Bagheri's responses to CNN reporter on West Asia, Iran, US

Pars Today - Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister in a televised interview responded to questions from CNN's Fareed Zakaria about Iran, West Asia, and the world.

Ali Bagheri Kani in an interview with Fareed Zakaria, the host of CNN's GPS program emphasized: "The crimes committed by Zionists in Gaza over the past 9 months have never been able to turn the situation in their favor." According to Pars Today, Bagheri Kani stated in the interview: "The more crimes the Zionists commit, the more the situation will change to their detriment."

In response to Zakaria's question about the activities of the resistance axis and how it reacts to the actions of the Israeli regime, Bagheri said:

"Before October 7, there was no threat from Iraq or Yemen towards Israel, but after October 7, this happened. Before October 7, there was no direct threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran against the Zionist regime, but after the Zionists attacked the Iranian embassy in Damascus and martyred several high-ranking Iranian commanders, they were forced to accept Iranian missiles on Occupied Territories. Therefore, over the past 9 months, as the Zionist crimes have continued or intensified, the threats against them have become more tangible."

Bagheri Kani continued by referring to Israel's threats against Lebanon in response to the American journalist's question about the possibility of the war spreading in the region, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never welcomed or will welcome the escalation of tensions in the region and the spread of conflict from Gaza to outside of it, saying:

"The spread of conflict and tension to other regions in the region is a strategic mistake that will not only not benefit the Zionists, but will also put them in serious danger.

Another question that Fareed Zakaria asked Bagheri Kani was about Iran's view on the "two-state solution" for Palestine.

Bagheri responded to this question by emphasizing that only the Palestinian people have the right to decide their own future, saying:

"Iran's proposal is to hold a referendum with the participation of all Palestinian people; those who are currently inside the Occupied Territories, those who were forced to leave the Occupied Territories due to Zionist pressure; Muslims, Christians, and Jews should all participate in this referendum and decide about their country's future and political mechanisms.

Bagheri Kani continued by saying that Palestine belongs to its original owners, not "imported Jews", and added:

"Why should decisions be made about the Palestinian people in New York, Washington, Brussels, or elsewhere in the world? Who has given others the right to make decisions for them? Have the Palestinian people given such a right to those sitting in New York to decide for them? Why don't we let the Palestinian people decide their own future themselves? This is the most logical, democratic, and sustainable solution in Iran's view."

Bagheri Kani also responded to a question about Iran's alleged involvement in the assassination of former US President Donald Trump and its connection to the US terrorist act of assassinating Lt. General Soleimani, rejecting this claim and noted:

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has only used legal and judicial mechanisms, both domestic and international, to uphold its rights and bring to justice the perpetrators, agents, and accomplices of the criminal assassination of General Soleimani.

The JCPOA and Iran's peaceful nuclear activities were among the topics that Fareed Zakaria asked the Iranian official about.

Ali Bagheri Kani, in this interview, responded to the American journalist's question about the possibility of resuming nuclear talks and the Americans' desire to reach a new agreement with Iran, emphasizing that Tehran is not seeking a new agreement with the US:

"The JCPOA was finalized with Iran's agreement and the 5+1 group, but the US withdrew from it and damaged it.

He added: "Iran is still a member of the JCPOA, and the goal we are pursuing is to revive the 2015 agreement.

The fatwa of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khamenei, on the prohibition of producing and using nuclear weapons was another topic that Fareed Zakaria asked about.

Bagheri Kani emphasized that the Leader of Iran is both the highest religious authority and the highest government authority, saying:

"The orders and fatwas (religious decrees) issued by him are binding on all government sectors, and no one can violate them or will be able to do so.

He also responded to a question about Iran-Saudi relations and the agreement of the Saudi Crown Prince to make an official visit to Iran, stating:

"Talks have been held between the two sides for the leaders of the two countries to visit Tehran and Riyadh, and this issue is on the agenda of the foreign ministries of the two countries.

Key phrases: Iran and the US, General Soleimani, JCPOA, Donald Trump, Iran and Arabia

MG/UR