Fiery Statements from the Iranian Army Concurrent with Vienna Negotiations
In a notable escalation coinciding with intense diplomatic activity, the Iranian army issued a stern warning confirming that any attack will receive a “decisive response and crushing blows,” at a time when Iranian officials spoke of tangible progress in negotiations with Washington.
The spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, announced that the country is in a state of full readiness, emphasizing that any military move against Iran will be met with a strong response.
He considered that the U.S. military presence in the region is nothing more than “psychological warfare and extortion,” according to the Iranian state news agency.
Shekarchi confirmed that Iranian forces rely on their defensive and offensive capabilities, closely monitoring all movements of the U.S. and Israeli armies in the region, warning that any “provocative” action from the United States will be met with a decisive response.
These statements came at a time when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi revealed that the latest round of talks with the United States was “the best” so far, indicating significant progress.
He announced that technical talks will begin next Monday in Vienna to discuss the details of a potential agreement, considering that reaching an agreement is imminent.
These developments come amid the ongoing decades-long dispute over Iran's nuclear program, and amid rising fears of military confrontation in the Middle East, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to take military action if an agreement is not reached, alongside the enhancement of U.S. military capabilities in the region.
Between military threats and diplomatic easing messages, the region stands before a tense scene where the possibilities of escalation intertwine with opportunities for a settlement that could redraw the contours of the next phase.
