Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi hosted senior commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army on Tuesday, stressing that Iran is entering diplomatic negotiations from a position of strength backed by the readiness and power of its armed forces.
Tehran – IranView24
The meeting, held at the Foreign Ministry, coincided with the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and was attended by Major General Amir Hatami, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Chief of Staff and Deputy Coordinator of the Army, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, Commander of the Navy, and other senior military officials.
Addressing the gathering, Araghchi referred to the resumption of indirect negotiations in Muscat, saying: “Today, relying on the capability, preparedness, and authority of our armed forces, we are entering the diplomatic arena with greater confidence and strength.”
Major General Hatami highlighted close coordination between Iran’s armed forces and the country’s foreign policy apparatus, stressing the Army’s full readiness to defend Iran’s independence, territorial integrity, and the rights and interests of the Iranian nation.
Participants also reviewed regional and international developments and emphasized the importance of full readiness, national vigilance, and the simultaneous use of Iran’s defensive and diplomatic capacities to counter external threats.
“Defense and Diplomacy Are One Battlefield”
Major General Hatami said defense and diplomacy now operate as a single front.
“Today, the field of defense and the field of diplomacy are one battlefield in which we defend the country’s independence and territorial integrity, as well as public interests, peace, and security of the country and the region,” Hatami said.
“We use our tools with full force, and our colleagues at the Foreign Ministry, led by Dr. Araghchi, use the tools of diplomacy with strength. These two are no longer merely complementary — they are in fact one and the same on a single battlefield against a hostile enemy seeking to undermine the interests of the Iranian nation.”
Hatami added that Iran’s armed forces are at a higher level of defensive readiness, warning that any miscalculation by adversaries would be met with an unprecedented response.
“The enemy only understands the language of power. They learned this in the 12-day war, and today we are at a higher level of readiness. If they make a mistake, they will receive a response they have neither seen nor experienced before,” he said.
Araghchi: Armed Forces Deter Military Options Against Iran
Foreign Minister Araghchi said hosting the senior military leadership during the anniversary period was a source of pride for the ministry.
“We enter diplomacy backed by the power of our armed forces. Their authority has dissuaded our enemies from pursuing any military option, and it will continue to do so,” he said.
“If we can pursue Iran’s interests with confidence in diplomacy, it is because our armed forces have deprived any foreign enemy of hope of violating Iran’s land, air, or seas,” Araghchi said defense and diplomacy are now fully aligned.
“The field and diplomacy move together — in one trench, in one arena. We have reached a form of unity, and with this strength we will defend Iran’s national interests and the rights of the Iranian people in diplomatic arenas,” he said.
New Negotiation Track Backed by ‘Resistance’
Araghchi said Iran has entered a new phase of negotiations, describing it as the result of a year of resistance by the Iranian people and armed forces in the face of pressure, threats, and conflict.
“The power, resistance, and steadfastness of the Iranian people are the most important backing for both the armed forces and diplomats to defend Iran’s interests with strength,” he said.
He added that Iran will continue talks on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and mutual interests, while remaining cautious.
“If we see seriousness from the other side, the Islamic Republic of Iran will also be fully serious and will move this path forward. But we will pursue it with open eyes, taking into account all past experiences, without trusting the other side, and with confidence in our armed forces,” Araghchi said.
