Border security, water rights on agenda of deputy FM's visit to Afghanistan: Spokesperson
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Oct 28, 2025
Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi visited Afghanistan to discuss several issues that remain on the agenda of relations between the two countries, including border security.
Baqaei made the remark during his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Tuesday, two days after the deputy foreign minister's visit to neighboring Afghanistan.
"Mr. Gharibabadi's trip was aimed at discussing several issues that remain on the agenda of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan. These issues include border security, water rights, as well as legal and judicial cooperation. All these three issues were specifically discussed during meetings with relevant Afghan officials," the spokesperson explained while responding to IRNA's correspondent.
He added that Gharibabadi and Afghan officials also agreed to resume the implementation of a plan to renovate border signs, which had been suspended for a long time.
Constructive talks were also held on ways to counter unauthorized movements, drug and human trafficking, and other forms of transnational organized crime, Baqaei said, expressing hope that the latest discussions would facilitate broader interactions between the two countries in various fields.
Iran-IAEA cooperation
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has claimed that behind-the-scenes negotiations are underway to resume inspections of Iran's nuclear sites. That was raised by a reporter at the briefing, who asked for the Iranian Foreign Ministry's stance.
"I personally have not heard this from Mr. Grossi," said the spokesperson, adding that Iran's cooperation with the IAEA is in accordance with a law approved by the Iranian Parliament in the summer following the June strikes by Israel and the United States on the country's nuclear sites.
Baqaei also said that Iran remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Safeguards Agreement.
Mahdieh Esfandyari's detention case
The spokesperson expressed hope that Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandyari, who has been detained in France since February on alleged charges of promoting terrorism online, will return to Iran soon.
She has been released under judicial supervision following a court ruling on Wednesday, October 22, he said, adding that Iran is now awaiting the next court session.
Baqaei said that Tehran welcomes Esfandyari's conditional release and hopes that she will return to Iran soon, as she was arrested without any logical reason.
US military threats in the Caribbean
Iran considers the United States' military movements in the Caribbean region a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, which constitute a dangerous development against peace and security in that region, the Iranian diplomat said.
The entire international community is concerned about the US military moves in the Caribbean, he added, emphasizing that one of the main principles of international law is the prevention of the use or threat of force, and respect for countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Unfortunately, these principles are being violated in different parts of the world, including in some Latin American countries, under various pretexts such as fighting drug trafficking, Baqaei said, referring to the US military threats against Venezuela under the pretext of combating drugs.
Syria developments
Developments in Syria are ongoing, and the country, as a key regional player, plays a significant role in maintaining peace and security in West Asia, Baqaei said. He added that this is why Iran continues its consultations with regional partners and other countries involved in the Syrian issue.
The recent visit of Russia's special envoy for Syrian affairs to Tehran took place as part of those consultations, he noted.
ECO ministerial meeting in Tehran
According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tehran is hosting the meeting of interior ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Monday and Tuesday.
Border cooperation, countering transnational organized crime, and combating terrorism are among the main issues discussed at the meeting, he said.
Baqaei added that a delegation from Afghanistan's Taliban government is in attendance, while the interior ministers of Iraq and Oman are participating as special guests.
US-Israeli attempts against the ICJ
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), on October 22, ruled that Israel has violated the UN's immunities as set out in the world body's Charter, and ignored its humanitarian obligations as an occupying power under the Geneva conventions in Gaza. The ICJ said that Israel must allow aid into Gaza, a ruling that was rejected by the US State Department.
Commenting on that issue, Baqaei said that the nature of the United States' stance toward the ICJ's ruling is, in fact, an attempt to reinforce and perpetuate the policy of impunity for the Israeli regime.
"The fact that the US reacts to any action or criticism from the international community and global institutions regarding the conduct of the Zionist regime, threatens and tries to undermine those institutions, demonstrates its complicity in the regime's crimes," he said.
The diplomat added that as long as such impunity exists and the Israel regime remains confident that it will not be held accountable before the international community, it will continue its crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.
Iran backs One-China Policy
On the 1971 resolution that upholds the One-China principle, the spokesperson said Iran's position on the issue is clear and fundamental, as the Islamic Republic emphasizes respect for that principle and for China's territorial integrity.
US responsible for Israeli crimes
Baqaei said that the United States is responsible for any actions Israel takes in the West Asia region, from its crimes against Palestinians to acts of aggression against other countries, including Syria and Lebanon.
This is because there is no doubt about Washington's comprehensive support for the Israeli regime, including its military, financial, and political backing, he said, adding that such support underscores the view that there is no difference between the US and Israel.
"Whatever the Israeli regime does, the US is responsible for it as well," he further emphasized.
No evidence for Iran's involvement in Australia attacks
Baqaei said that Australia's accusations alleging Iran's involvement in a series of attacks in that country were baseless, noting that Iran had already declared them unfounded.
He added that the recent official Australian body's rejection of Iran's involvement clearly confirms the stance taken by the Islamic Republic from the beginning.
The spokesperson also addressed an Israeli claim that an Iranian military official had directed the attacks, saying that the allegation was made immediately after the official Australian body dismissed Tehran's involvement.
"This once again shows that all the accusations against Iran were fabricated by Israel's Mossad spy agency from the beginning," he emphasized.
Iran's national interests come first
On the possible resumption of talks with the US over Iran's nuclear program, the diplomat said that Iran's criteria for using diplomatic tools and determining the method of interaction are based solely on national interests.
"Therefore, whenever Iran deems it necessary for its national interests to continue or resume negotiations, it will definitely take this action," he added.
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