Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the country has never sought conflict and continues to prefer peace, while stressing that Tehran must remain fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and national interests.
In a statement on Wednesday, he said Iran must maintain military readiness while also making use of diplomacy and negotiations to secure and strengthen its national objectives.
Iran’s chief negotiator emphasised that engaging in negotiations should not be viewed as a sign of concession, describing diplomacy as a key component of Iran’s broader strategy alongside military preparedness to protect the country’s interests.
Ghalibaf said Iran’s national security depends on preserving its control and strategic arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that the Iranian armed forces retain full authority to respond to any hostile actions whenever necessary.
Separately, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tehran currently has no plans to resume negotiations, according to the Tasnim news agency. He added that the government’s immediate priority remains strengthening the country’s defensive capabilities.
