Iran cleric says conflict with US will not end,

Iran rejects any temporary ceasefire and is seeking a comprehensive end to conflict across the region, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Friday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Khatibzadeh said any ceasefire must cover all fronts “from Lebanon to the Red Sea,” describing it as a red line for Tehran.

“We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire,” he said, adding that the cycle of conflict should end “once and for all.”

Khatibzadeh said Pakistan was engaged in mediation efforts aimed at achieving a broader settlement.

He also said Iran remains committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, but indicated that new arrangements could be introduced, including measures related to security and safe passage.

A senior Iranian cleric said no one would dare attack Iran, while warning that any strike would fail and urging caution toward the United States.

“ No one will dare attack Iran anymore,” Ahmad Khatami, Tehran’s interim Friday prayer leader, said.

“ They may attack, but it will not lead anywhere and this revolution will endure,” he added.

Khatami also urged distrust of the United States during the ceasefire period.

“ We must even be pessimistic about the enemy’s smiles, especially our enemy named Trump, who is a symbol of lies,” he said.

He stressed the importance of public support and unity during the truce, saying people should remain present and trust in leadership.

“ People will not accept negotiations with humiliation,” he added.

Indian refiners are paying for shipments of Iranian oil in Chinese yuan through ICICI Bank, four sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, under a temporary US sanctions waiver.

The payments are being routed via ICICI’s Shanghai branch to accounts denominated in yuan, the sources said.

State-run Indian Oil Corp and privately owned Reliance Industries have purchased Iranian crude under the waiver, which Washington introduced last month to help ease global oil prices.

One cargo bought by Indian Oil earlier this month totaled about 2 million barrels, worth roughly $200 million, according to sources.

The arrangement highlights efforts to work around longstanding restrictions on Iran, with Indian refiners also using yuan in some purchases of Russian oil.

The US waiver allowing such transactions is due to expire soon and is not expected to be renewed, officials have said.

At least two young men have been killed by Basij and Revolutionary Guards forces at checkpoints in Iran in recent weeks, according to information received by Iran International.

One of them, identified as Morteza Madadi from Shahin Shahr in Isfahan province, was shot dead on March 8 by forces at a Basij checkpoint, sources said. He died after being hit in the chest.

Sources said his family has faced pressure and threats after seeking to pursue the case.

In a separate incident, a young man in Ramsar in northern Mazandaran province died after being stopped at a checkpoint and protesting during an inspection, according to local accounts.

He was attacked with a stun device by Basij forces and died at the scene, from cardiac arrest, the sources said, adding that his family has also been pressured not to publicize the case.

The incidents come as checkpoint controls have increased across the country, with citizens reporting vehicle stops, searches and phone inspections, according to messages sent to Iran International.

About 50 aircraft were damaged in US and Israeli strikes, with 10 destroyed by direct missile hits, a senior Iranian lawmaker said.

Mohammad Reza Rezaei Kouchi, head of parliament’s construction committee, said some of the damaged planes could return to service.

He added that domestic and international flights could resume if a deal is reached or the ceasefire is extended.

“There is no serious infrastructure problem,” he said.