Iran warns of 'endless wars' in region if Israeli expansionism goes unchecked
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Aug 18, 2025
Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says Israel constitutes an existential threat to the security and stability of West Asia due to its boundless expansionism, warning that the region could face endless wars if the regime is not contained.
The spokesperson made the comment in his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday while taking a question from IRNA.
"The reality is that, for regional countries, more than ever before, the expansionist and domineering nature of the Israeli regime has become clear," he said, adding that the statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he claims to be tasked with realizing the idea of a "Greater Israel" that encompasses a significant portion of Arab and Islamic lands, demonstrate that the Israeli regime "recognizes no limits to its expansionism."
"This issue clearly shows that the Israeli regime poses an existential threat to the security and stability of the region and its countries. Therefore, it can be said that all regional states are now more alert than ever to the regime's ongoing expansionism. That's because if this expansionism is not contained, our region will undoubtedly face endless wars," the Iranian diplomat further said.
No European embassy closed in Iran
The spokesperson dismissed rumors of European embassies closing in Iran, saying that the rumors are aimed at creating tension.
Some of the European embassies have reduced activities and limited consular services amid or after the Israeli regime's military aggression against Iran in mid-June, but this does not mean that the diplomatic missions have closed, he explained.
Iran protects national interests
In response to a question about the Jeffrey Epstein case, Baqaei said it involves multiple countries and includes unethical and illegal aspects.
Iran does not focus on personal motives of US politicians but on the actions of the US government as an official entity, he further said.
Our priority is Iran's national interests, and we will protect the rights of our people while closely monitoring related developments, he added.
No positive US role in West Asia
Responding to the US envoy's comments on Hezbollah's disarmament, the Iranian spokesperson said the US has never played a positive role in the West Asia region, acting solely to serve the Israeli regime's interests, and that the people of Lebanon and the region are aware of this, and such claims are only meant to sow division.
Putin-Trump summit
Regarding the Friday summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Baqaei said that Iran welcomes any initiative to end the Ukraine war and has consistently encouraged peaceful dialogue. However, the spokesperson added, the US must work to gain trust due to its poor track record in international negotiations.
On the possibility of covering Iran-related issues in the summit, Baqaei said that the meeting focused on Ukraine, and that Iran is monitoring developments in that country and consulting Russia when needed, emphasizing that decisions on the Iran-related issues are made based on national interests.
Israel faces deep internal crisis
On the growing protests in the Israeli-occupied territories, the spokesperson said the regime faces deep crises, and its officials' pursuit of war and expansionism has angered the region and exhausted domestic patience. Recent large protests highlight the severity of its internal turmoil, he added.
Iran-IAEA talks
Further in his presser, the spokesperson said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Director General's visit to Iran earlier this month aimed to establish guidelines for Iran-IAEA interactions after Israeli and US attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities in June.
There have been no prior instances of peaceful nuclear facilities being attacked and subsequently inspected by IAEA officials, he said, adding that security and safety concerns were discussed, and that more talks are due to take place in the coming days.
E3 letter to UN
Regarding a letter from three European countries, namely Britain, France, and Germany to the UN chief, the spokesperson noted that the letter was a response to Iran's foreign minister's communication to the UN Security Council about the illegality of using the "snapback" mechanism to reimpose sanctions against Iran.
US uses human rights issue as a tool
Baqaei said the US annual human rights report are political tools that the country uses to pressure other countries and manage relations with allies. He added that allegations leveled against Iran in the latest such report are purely political and strongly rejected, emphasizing that the US uses human rights issue to advance its foreign policy without a genuine commitment.
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