Israel ready to deploy 'entire' force against Iran, new air force chief says

“The problem is that the United States on the one hand pursues a policy of maximum pressure against our country, and on the other expects the Islamic Republic of Iran to come to the negotiating table and ultimately surrender to its unilateral demands; such an equation is impossible,” Pezeshkian said.

He said Iran had been targeted during past rounds of negotiations and warned that threats continued even as diplomatic efforts were underway.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has been attacked twice during negotiations, and now again, while the path of dialogue is ongoing, we are witnessing military deployments and threats,” he added.

He also addressed Western concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, saying Tehran had been willing to provide assurances under international frameworks.

“They claim Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons, while they assassinated the Supreme Leader, who had issued a clear religious decree prohibiting such weapons… Iran was fully prepared in all negotiations to provide whatever global norms require to ensure the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities,” he said.

Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran would continue to pursue its scientific and nuclear development within international regulations despite pressure.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, within the framework of international law, is ready for any dialogue, but based on its beliefs, it will never submit to force… If they speak to us with logic, dialogue is possible, but the language of threats and bullying will lead nowhere,” he said.

He added that Iran does not seek conflict and remains open to resolving disputes with regional countries through diplomacy.

“We fundamentally do not consider war and insecurity a desirable option… we are fully ready to reach understanding with Islamic countries in the region, set common rules, and resolve all differences in the Persian Gulf and beyond through dialogue,” he said.

Pezeshkian also accused the United States of using regional bases to carry out attacks on Iran.

“We do not seek any conflict with our brothers in the region, but the reality is that from American bases in some regional countries, and using their space and facilities, our schools, hospitals and infrastructure were bombed,” he said.

Iran’s joint military command said it has not carried out any attack against the United Arab Emirates in recent days.

"Iran’s armed forces have not carried out any missile or drone operations against the United Arab Emirates in recent days, and if any action had been taken, we would have announced it clearly and decisively," a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said.

“The UAE defense ministry’s report is categorically denied and has no validity,” he added.

“We warn that if any action is taken from UAE territory against Iran’s islands, ports or coasts, we will deliver a crushing and regret-inducing response,” the spokesperson said.

Iran has officially launched a new mechanism for governing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Press TV, Iran’s English-language state outlet, reported.

Vessels intending to transit the strait will receive an email from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority outlining rules and regulations for passage, the report said.

Ships are required to adjust their operations according to the framework and obtain a transit permit before crossing the Strait of Hormuz, the report added.

UK shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said Iran’s renewed attack on the UAE was unacceptable and that Tehran must stop attacks on allies and shipping.

“We want to see a clear, organised way of ending this conflict that works for the British national interest & for our allies,” she said on X.

“That means Iran must stop its illegal attacks on our allies, on shipping & end its nuclear programme,” she added.

Ship owners and insurance companies have responded positively to the US military’s Project Freedom operation in the Strait of Hormuz, which has “just begun," a CENTCOM spokesperson told Al Jazeera Arabic.

The spokesperson said the operation is temporary and aimed at creating a safe corridor and “security umbrella” for commercial vessels.

The operation is intended to ensure ships can safely transit the strait and support regional and global economies, the spokesperson added.