Foreign Ministry says diplomacy and defence remain complementary parts of Tehran’s strategy
TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday that mediators involved in contacts between Iran and the United States have put forward new proposals aimed at preventing further escalation of tensions.
Speaking at a press conference, Baghaei said mediation efforts remain active, adding that intermediaries are working to reduce the risk of a broader confrontation. However, he did not identify the mediating countries or disclose details of the reported proposals.
“The principle of the matter is clear: mediators are working and trying to prevent tension from escalating,” Baghaei said, according to Iranian media reports.
At the same time, he maintained that Iran would continue responding to what it described as US aggression while pursuing diplomatic efforts in parallel.
Tehran emphasises dual-track approach
Baghaei said Iran’s armed forces would continue carrying out military operations that Tehran says are aimed at responding to attacks against the country. Simultaneously, he stressed that Iran’s diplomatic institutions would continue seeking political and diplomatic solutions.
According to the spokesperson, protecting Iran’s national interests requires the use of both diplomatic engagement and defence capabilities, depending on the circumstances.
He rejected the notion that diplomacy and military preparedness are mutually exclusive, arguing that both serve the same national objective.
No details released on mediation proposals
Although Baghaei confirmed that new ideas had been presented through mediators, he did not indicate whether Tehran had accepted or rejected any of the proposals or whether direct negotiations with Washington were under consideration.
The comments come amid continued regional tensions and ongoing diplomatic efforts by third parties seeking to reduce the risk of further conflict between Iran and the United States.
Neither US officials nor the reported mediators immediately commented on Baghaei’s remarks or confirmed the existence of the proposed initiatives. Consequently, the content and status of the reported mediation efforts remain unclear.
Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that they are prepared to pursue diplomatic channels while maintaining what they describe as the country’s right to respond to military threats, reflecting Tehran’s continued emphasis on a dual-track strategy of diplomacy and defence.
