Iran Spokesman Says Arrest Warrants for Israeli Officials Cannot Be Erased

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has criticized attempts to override international judicial rulings through social media posts, emphasizing that arrest warrants issued for Israeli officials accused of crimes in Gaza cannot simply be erased.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Baqaei questioned the state of the international order, writing: "Is this the 21st-century international order-or the Wild West, where a self-appointed sheriff can post a 'WANTED' poster on social media and at once play judge, jury, and executioner whenever it suits him?"

He further stated: "When a competent international court has already investigated the atrocities committed in Gaza and issued arrest warrants for the Israeli criminals, a single social-media post cannot rewrite the law, override due process, and erase the rulings of an international court."

The remarks come amid ongoing international legal actions against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been examining cases related to the conflict, and arrest warrants have been sought or issued in some instances.

Baqaei's comments reflect Iran's stance on the matter, supporting the legal processes against Israeli officials and criticizing any attempts to undermine them. The statement was reported by Mehr News Agency (MNA), which highlighted the spokesman's remarks as a defense of international law and judicial independence.

According to Mehr News Agency, Baqaei's post underscores the importance of respecting international legal mechanisms and not allowing political or social media pressure to influence judicial outcomes. The agency added that the spokesman's comments align with Iran's broader position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which calls for accountability for actions that violate international law.