Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, while insisting that it remains fully prepared to defend itself against further attacks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the declaration in an article published in the Financial Times, stating that Tehran remained committed to achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
He said Iran was prepared to defend itself if necessary, while accusing the White House of showing little willingness to reach an understanding with Tehran.
Araghchi expressed doubts about the prospects for progress in negotiations, suggesting that the current position of the United States offered little reason to expect a breakthrough.
US Says Peace Agreement Will Be Difficult
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the prospect of reaching a peace agreement with Iran as extremely difficult.
Rubio said Washington would continue applying economic pressure on Tehran until it stopped targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway vital to global energy supplies.
The dispute over the waterway remains a major obstacle to efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries.
Pezeshkian Demands End to US Threats
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also criticised Washington's approach, arguing that the United States cannot expect meaningful dialogue while maintaining a blockade and issuing threats against Iran.
According to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian said Washington must recognise Iran's national rights and end what he described as aggression and intimidation before negotiations could proceed.
He also accused the United States of failing to honour agreements, insisting that countries should remain committed to their obligations once agreements have been reached.
Fighting Continues Across the Region
Meanwhile, tensions remain high across the Middle East as military operations and humanitarian challenges continue.
In Yemen, government forces have reported conducting strikes against Houthi positions and military reinforcements west of Taiz. The operations come as fighting intensifies around the city.
Authorities monitoring the siege of Taiz say food supplies are running low, while residents face a shortage of cooking gas. Reports have also indicated casualties and damage to civilian property from attacks on residential neighbourhoods.
Separately, reports from Yemen indicate that Riyan Airport in Mukalla, in Hadramaut governorate, has come under a bomb attack. Further details were not immediately available.
In southern Gaza, emergency services have reported casualties following Israeli shelling in the al-Mawasi area of al-Qarara, north of Khan Younis. The number of casualties was not immediately disclosed.
Regional Defence Cooperation Expands
In another development, Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia have reportedly signed a defence cooperation agreement in Doha.
According to Türkiye's Defence Ministry, the agreement aims to strengthen the countries' defence capabilities through military exercises, training, research and development, and cooperation between their defence industries.
The developments highlight the continuing security challenges facing the Middle East as diplomatic efforts to end the Iran conflict remain uncertain.
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