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

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said a “new equation” is emerging in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the US and its allies themselves have endangered maritime security and energy transit through their actions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has stated that recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz have once again made it crystal clear that there is no military solution to the political crisis in the West Asian region, reaffirming the Islamic Republic’s policy of pursuing diplomacy from a position of strength.

In a post on X on Monday night, Araghchi highlighted steady progress in indirect talks between Iran and the United States, crediting Pakistan’s sincere and constructive mediation efforts.

“As talks are making progress thanks to Pakistan’s gracious efforts, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into a quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE,” the top Iranian diplomat said.

Araghchi also sharply dismissed Washington’s much-publicized “Project Freedom” — a naval initiative aimed at exerting military pressure in the Strait of Hormuz — calling it “Project Deadlock.”

Araghchi’s remarks come as the Islamic Republic continues to demonstrate, through its defensive capability and firm control over the strategic waterway, that any attempt to impose outcomes through force or intimidation is doomed to fail.

Iranian officials have maintained that sustainable regional security can only be achieved through mutual respect, respect for sovereignty, and serious dialogue free of threats and sanctions.

Pakistan has played a highly appreciated and pivotal role in facilitating these talks, reflecting the preference of responsible regional actors for peaceful, negotiated solutions rather than escalation.

Iran has consistently stressed that it remains open to result-oriented negotiations provided they are conducted without preconditions, military posturing, or external interference.

Iranian defense official: Enemy’s cost will exceed tolerance threshold

A senior Iranian defense official has warned that any hostile move by the US and Israeli enemy against the Islamic Republic will exact a price far beyond their threshold of tolerance.

The events unfolding in the Strait of Hormuz serve as a stark reminder to all parties, especially Washington and its regional allies, that the era of gunboat diplomacy is over and that the Islamic Republic will not yield to pressure.

Tehran continues to back diplomacy while maintaining full readiness to defend its legitimate rights and national interests in the face of any provocation.

 

Press TV