Iran says Russia, China stance on US-Israeli attacks will affect ties

Iranian state media on Monday published a written message attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei on the death of Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In the message, Khamenei described Tangsiri as a “soldier of Iran and guardian of Islam” and referred to the current conflict as a “third imposed war.”

Israel’s defense minister said last week that Tangsiri was killed in an Israeli strike in Bandar Abbas.

The message comes amid continued uncertainty over Khamenei’s condition, with no confirmed information on his health or whereabouts since the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that the issue of withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was under review in parliament.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei questioned the value of remaining in the treaty, saying, “What is the benefit of being part of an agreement when certain powers do not allow us to use its rights and benefits?”

He said Iran had never sought nuclear weapons and maintained a clear position against weapons of mass destruction.

The NPT is a global agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting peaceful use of nuclear energy and advancing nuclear disarmament. Iran is a signatory to the treaty.

Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday its ambassador remained in Beirut and the embassy was continuing its work, despite a Lebanese order for his removal.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, “We have followed up reports about our ambassador. Our embassy is open and our ambassador continues his work in Beirut and remains present.”

Lebanon has revoked its approval for Iran’s designated ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani and ordered him to leave by March 29, broadcaster LBCI reported, adding Beirut had declared him persona non grata and recalled its ambassador to Iran.

The development comes as Gideon Sa'ar said earlier that Iran’s envoy remained in Beirut past the deadline and described Lebanon as being under Iranian influence.

Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday there had been no direct talks with the US, though it had received messages from Washington through intermediaries, including Pakistan.

He said proposals described as a 15-point plan presented by the US were “excessive and unreasonable.”

Baghaei said Iran’s position on the issues under discussion was clear and that Tehran remained focused on its own framework.

Iran does not see region as enemy, Baghaei says

Baghaei said Iran did not view regional countries as enemies and had cultural, religious and economic ties with its neighbors.

He said Iran’s military actions targeted bases and facilities used as launch points for attacks against it.

“It is not enough to say we are not part of the war,” he said, referring to regional states.

Baghaei comments on regional ties and Ukraine

He said Iran maintained diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and thanked some regional countries for staying out of the conflict.

Baghaei also criticized attempts to link the Ukraine war to the current conflict, referring to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and said regional states would not be drawn into it.

Flames were seen at an oil refinery in Haifa following an Iranian and Hezbollah missile attack, Israeli media reported.

Footage aired on Channel 12 showed a fire at the Bazan refinery, though it was unclear whether the site was directly hit or struck by shrapnel from an interception.