Nuclear program off-limits to journalists - Revolutionary Guard-linked daily

“We are committed to what the Lebanese agree upon,” Amani said in an interview with Lebanon’s Al Jadeed TV on Wednesday in a reversal of remarks made last week which caused him to be summoned by Lebanon's Foreign Ministry.

Last week Amani warned against what he called a disarmament “conspiracy,” saying on X: “We in the Islamic Republic of Iran understand the danger of this conspiracy and its threat to the security of the region’s peoples.

"We warn others against falling into the enemy's trap. Preserving deterrent capability is the first line of defense for sovereignty and independence and must not be compromised.”

Amani also confirmed he had not attended the ministry's summons. “I was informed of the Foreign Ministry’s request regarding my posts about weapons, but I apologized for not attending,” he said in Al Jadeed TV interview. “No new date has been set.”

His comments come after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said last week that he hopes Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by countries including the US, UK and EU, can be disarmed or brought under state control this year, following what he described as a significant weakening of the group during Israel’s recent military campaign.

The Iran-backed group is currently in the midst of a fragile US and France-brokered ceasefire with Israel which began in November. Both sides report dozens of breaches.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that progress in nuclear talks with the United States could be possible if Washington continues what he described as a constructive approach.

“If the American side continues a constructive approach and avoids unrealistic demands, we can reach a good agreement,” Araghchi said during a visit to Beijing.

He added that the indirect talks between Tehran and Washington are on the right track, but it is still too early to make a final judgment. “We are cautiously optimistic,” he said.

Araghchi also said Iran is in close consultation with China, calling it a strategic partner that has played a positive role in previous negotiations.

Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor of hardline Kayhan newspaper, has called on Tehran to consider withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz if the US persists with what he called extortion tactics.

In a commentary published on Wednesday, Shariatmadari argued that the United States, contrary to its claims, is not seeking an agreement acceptable to the Islamic Republic.

Shariatmadari urged Iranian authorities to explicitly declare that they will not make the slightest change to their nuclear program.

The Kayhan editor also suggested that Iranian officials should assert that if the US seeks to prevent Iran from exporting oil, Tehran will, citing the 1958 Geneva and 1982 Jamaica conventions on international waterways, close the Strait of Hormuz to all oil tankers and even enemy vessels carrying commercial goods and weapons.

Iran considers it essential to keep China fully updated on its talks with the United States, said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is in China to deliver a message to the Chinese officials.

He described China and Russia as “strategic partners and close friends who have supported Tehran in difficult times.”

He said Iran would maintain close consultation with China moving forward.

“We will definitely continue our consultations with China as a member of the Security Council, a member of the IAEA Board of Governors, and a country with experience in the nuclear issue,” Araghchi added.

Iran on Wednesday said new US sanctions on its energy and nuclear sectors run counter to ongoing diplomatic talks between the two countries.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei called the sanctions "bullying and illegal," and said they contradict US claims of wanting dialogue with Tehran.

"The continuation of sanctions shows a lack of goodwill and seriousness by the United States," Baghaei said in a statement. He added that the move highlights Washington's hostile policy and disregard for international law.

The US Treasury earlier announced sanctions on Iranian LPG magnate Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh, his son, and a network of companies accused of helping Iran bypass sanctions and export energy.