Agencies | Tehran:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran remains committed to finding a peaceful and dignified resolution to the ongoing conflict but is fully prepared to defend itself against any aggression.
“While Iran is firmly committed to seeking a dignified peaceful resolution to the conflict, we are also fully prepared to defend ourselves,” Araghchi said, underscoring Tehran’s dual approach of pursuing diplomacy while maintaining its defensive posture.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, said the United States could not expect meaningful dialogue with Tehran while continuing to impose a blockade and issue threats against the country.
The remarks came amid growing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides maintaining sharply contrasting positions on the conditions necessary for negotiations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told American media that reaching a peace agreement with Iran would be extremely difficult. He also indicated that Washington would continue its economic pressure on Tehran until Iran stopped targeting commercial shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital international shipping route for global energy supplies, making any disruption to maritime traffic a major concern for regional stability and the world economy.
Meanwhile, tensions continued to reverberate across the region, with reports of rockets targeting Al Rayyan Airport in Mukalla and Aden International Airport in Yemen.
The developments followed claims by Yemen’s Houthi movement that it had fired a ballistic missile at the Badr military camp in the southern city of Aden, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
The reported attacks added to concerns over the widening security risks in the region as diplomatic efforts remain constrained by mutual accusations and competing demands.
With Tehran insisting on a peaceful settlement while warning it is ready to defend itself, and Washington maintaining its pressure campaign, the prospects for an immediate breakthrough remain uncertain.
