On Army Day in Iran, the Islamic Republic showcased its military strength with a parade in Tehran featuring troops, the S-300 missile defense system, drones, and other hardware, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian. Behind the scenes, Iran is engaging in diplomacy, with Foreign Minister Sayyid Abbas Araghchi meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. Araghchi is also set to hold talks with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran is seeking clarity from the U.S. on its stance regarding Iran’s nuclear program, with conflicting messages received from the Trump administration. The 2015 nuclear deal offered sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Iran’s nuclear activities, but the U.S. withdrew from the deal in 2018, leading Iran to enrich uranium beyond the agreed limits. Trump has expressed a preference for negotiating a new deal rather than resorting to military action.
While Iran approaches the talks cautiously due to past experiences, the Imam at a Friday prayer service urged openness to negotiations, albeit with caution due to past U.S. actions. Trump has threatened military action and extended sanctions on countries buying Iranian oil in an effort to pressure Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency has described the talks as being at a crucial stage. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate diplomatic efforts amidst military posturing.
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