TEHRAN (Reuters) - The US naval blockade of Iran and its green light on Sunday for Israel to escalate attacks in Lebanon make US bases and Israeli assets in the Middle East legitimate targets, Iran's top negotiator said in a post on X.
The comments from Iran's Parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, follow Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, a stronghold of Iran's ally Hezbollah.
"They are neither committed to a ceasefire nor believe in dialogue, and through the naval blockade and violation of agreements regarding Lebanon they showed that they only understand the language of power," Qalibaf said in an apparent reference to the US and Israel.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Sunday, with the two sides discussing the ongoing US-Iran negotiation process and the broader regional situation.
According to Iranian media reports, the meeting focused on diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions, including mediation initiatives and recent developments affecting regional stability.
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The discussions came amid heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the future of stalemate negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Earlier, Pakistan’s emissary also held talks with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, where both sides exchanged views on ceasefire efforts and dialogue aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
Speaking to the media, Naqvi said he had travelled to Iran carrying a special letter from Pakistan's Field Marshal for Iran's Supreme Leader, as well as a message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the Iranian leadership.
He expressed hope that diplomatic efforts by Pakistan's leadership would contribute to easing the current crisis, and praised the role of senior Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Araghchi and Interior Minister Momeni, in pursuing dialogue and regional stability.