Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has stated that the Islamic Republic’s armed forces are battle-ready to deliver a crushing, well-deserved response to any aggression, warning enemies that mistaken strategies will only bring them disastrous results.

“Our armed forces are ready to deliver a well-deserved response to any aggression; mistaken strategy and mistaken decisions will always lead to mistaken results. The whole world has already figured this out. We are prepared for all options; they will be surprised,” Qalibaf stated firmly.

Qalibaf’s remarks come as the Islamic Republic upholds its policy of strategic patience and maximum preparedness in the face of escalating threats from the United States and Israel.

Iranian officials have consistently stressed that Tehran seeks peace and regional stability, yet will never hesitate to defend its sovereignty with full force when red lines are crossed.

Drawing on decades of self-reliance, advanced missile and drone technology, and the unbreakable spirit of the Axis of Resistance, Iran has built a formidable defensive capability that leaves no room for enemy miscalculation.

In his follow-up tweet, Qalibaf said, “There is no alternative but to accept the rights of the Iranian people as laid out in the 14-point proposal.”

“Any other approach will be completely inconclusive; nothing but one failure after another. The longer they drag their feet, the more American taxpayers will pay for it,” he added.

Majlis (the Iranian Parliament)’s speaker dismisses recent reports about a supposed impending arrangement between Tehran and Washington, describing them as misleading and part of recurring fake media narratives originating in the United States.

In a post on X on Thursday, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf referred to allegations published by the US-based outlet Axios regarding such an arrangement, ironically describing them as “Operation Fauxios.”

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held separate telephone conversations with Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate and France’s President emphasizing Tehran’s readiness for dialogue to resolve regional disputes while expressing deep distrust toward the United States over its hostile actions during past negotiations.

In a telephone conversation with Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Ali Falih al-Zaidi late on Tuesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness to resolve regional disputes through dialogue, describing the Iraqi nation not merely as a neighbor but as a “brother.”

President Pezeshkian stated that Iran seeks no conflict with its neighbors and is fully prepared to reach understandings with regional Muslim countries, establish common regulations, and settle all disagreements—whether in the Persian Gulf or elsewhere in the region—through peaceful negotiations. He emphasized that such an approach would eliminate the grounds for war and instability, paving the way for lasting regional stability and cooperation.

The Iranian president also reiterated Tehran’s commitment to supporting Baghdad and strengthening bilateral ties based on mutual respect and understanding. He invited al-Zaidi to Tehran for his first official visit to finalize agreements and expand cooperation.

Pezeshkian criticized Washington’s “contradictory approach” of pursuing both a “maximum pressure” campaign, and calls for negotiations. He stressed that Iran would never surrender to unilateral demands or coercion. He further emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes and that Tehran has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, citing the religious decree (fatwa) prohibiting such arms. However, he made it clear that Iran will not abandon its scientific and technological achievements under pressure.

“The followers of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) household cannot be forced into submission through pressure or force,” the president said, calling on the US to halt its threatening approach, particularly those stemming from American military bases deployed across the region.

For his part, Prime Minister-designate al-Zaidi described Iran and Iraq as “two bodies with one soul” and pledged to elevate cooperation across economic, political, and security fields. He called Iran Iraq’s “strategic depth” and praised the Islamic Republic’s strength, particularly in the fight against ISIL, as an important pillar for the Muslim world.

Al-Zaidi also expressed Iraq’s readiness to host negotiations between Iran and the United States to end tensions, describing such mediation as both a religious and political responsibility. He emphasized that disputes must ultimately be resolved through dialogue because continued conflict cannot endure indefinitely.

In a separate conversation on Wednesday evening, President Pezeshkian also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron. During the talk, the two sides reviewed the strategic situation in the region—particularly the Strait of Hormuz and the status of the initial ceasefire agreement and negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the United States—exchanging their views and assessments.

Referring to Iran’s distrust of the United States, Pezeshkian made it clear that this distrust stems from hostile actions by the American side, the most recent examples of which include two attacks on Iran while negotiations were underway—acts that he said effectively amount to backstabbing.

Pezeshkian also emphasized that the Islamic Republic, operating within the framework of international laws and regulations, is ready to seriously pursue diplomatic channels to end the war while insisting on securing the rights of the Iranian nation.

Tehran Times

China has hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for talks in Beijing, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calling the US-Israeli war on Tehran “illegitimate” and urging a complete ceasefire.

Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, met Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to establish a full ceasefire in the West Asia region.

“We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable, and that it is particularly important to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations,” Wang said, according to a video of the meeting.

He criticized the military aggressions of the United States and Israel against Iran, adding that “the region is passing through a decisive turning point and direct meetings between the parties are essential.”

Araghchi thanked China for its firm stance, particularly its condemnation of Washington and Tel Aviv, describing Beijing as a sincere friend to Tehran. He underscored that cooperation between the two countries will strengthen under current circumstances.

Araghchi described the ongoing war against Iran as an “open aggression and a gross violation of international law.”

Referring to the diplomatic path forward, he asserted that Tehran would use all its strength in negotiations to protect its legitimate rights and interests, stating that Iran will not be satisfied with anything less than a “fair and comprehensive agreement.”

The Iranian minister arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning leading a diplomatic delegation and was received by Chinese officials and Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.

The visit follows at least three phone calls between Wang and Araghchi since the outbreak of the terrorist war against Iran on February 28. Their last call was on April 15, during which Araghchi commended China and Russia’s responsible stance in opposing a US Security Council resolution and said it had helped prevent escalation.

Wang praised the Iranian people’s resilience during the recent war and reiterated Beijing’s readiness to support diplomacy and end the war.

Analysts note that the visit, occurring just days before US President Donald Trump’s scheduled summit in Beijing, is strategically timed.

“Tehran and Beijing are aligning their interests before Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping,” said Amir Handjani, a board member at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

The US and China have been trading blows ahead of the summit. In an unprecedented act of defiance, China last week pushed back against Washington’s sanctions on Chinese refiners buying Iranian crude, invoking a “blocking rule” for the first time, directing companies not to comply with US sanctions.

Last month, China joined Russia to veto a US-backed resolution at the UN Security Council targeting Iran.

On Tuesday, the United States introduced a new resolution after its attempt to open the Strait of Hormuz to US and allied vessels failed. Closed talks on the draft, backed by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, could lead to sanctions or even authorize force if Iran does not comply.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the resolution a test of the UN’s utility and urged China and Russia not to repeat vetoes.

Analysts say the war poses a risk to US-China diplomatic plans. “Even if Trump believes the Chinese are providing diplomatic cover while keeping Iran economically afloat, he is at a disadvantage,” said Danny Russel, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

“He needs Beijing to restrain Tehran, not empower it.”

Press TV