Iran pursuing diplomacy while strengthening defense power simultaneously, Qalibaf says

Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf says Iran is pursuing diplomacy and strengthening its defenses in parallel as it confronts its adversaries.

“We all believe that diplomacy and defense are two sides of the same coin, which proceed in coordination, with the utmost intelligence, and in accordance with the orders and directives of the Leader of the Revolution,” Qalibaf said at a session of Parliament on Monday.

He added that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi attended Parliament’s closed-door session earlier in the day, during which issues pertaining to the latest round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States were discussed. “It was a very good session,” Qalibaf said.

Iranian and American delegations, led by Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, resumed nuclear talks in the Omani capital Muscat on Friday, eight months after Israel’s war against Iran last June. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi was shuttling between the sides, with the talks being held indirectly as before.

Iran FM declares ‘good start’ as US–Iran talks conclude in Muscat

The Iranian foreign minister says the new round of indirect nuclear talks with the US was a good beginning and can be continued.

Speaking at the end of the Omani-mediated talks, the Iranian foreign minister said the new round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States was a “good start” and could be continued.

“The decision on how to proceed with the negotiations will be made after consultations with the capitals,” he added.

The negotiations came as the United States had deployed air and naval forces to the region and threatened to attack the Islamic Republic again.

Iran says it will not give up diplomacy but stands ready to repel any act of aggression.

Iran halts unveiling of defense achievements for security concerns: Defense Ministry

Iran's Defense Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik said on Monday that the country has currently halted the unveiling of defense achievements.

He explained that the latest defensive achievements have joined the country’s defense units and have been employed in both offensive and defensive operations, but they will not be put on display in current conditions for "security considerations and to preserve the element of surprise."

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