Iran says changed balance of power, proved era of hit-and-run over

Iran’s acting defense minister and foreign minister say Tehran has altered the balance of power in West Asia and forced an end to the era of military pressure, while stressing that diplomacy can resume if Washington abandons coercion and respects Tehran’s rights.

Brigadier General Majid Ibn-e-Reza made the remarks in an X post amid a stalemate in talks between Tehran and Washington to permanently end the war due to the latter’s breach of its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

“Iran changed the equations of regional power on the ground and proved that the era of hit-and-run tactics, military expeditions from across the oceans, and threats is over,” he said.

Ibn-e-Reza also noted that farcical media displays do not change the realities or the side who emerged victorious in the conflict.

“Read Iran’s thousands-year-old history to understand that the Iranian nation should be addressed with respect,” he added.

The comments came amid renewed efforts by mediators aimed at reviving stalled diplomacy between Iran and the US six months into the war.

In an X post on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that diplomacy can resume if Washington abandons pressure and engages on the basis of mutual respect.

“Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible. It hinges on US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work. The US should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments,” he said.

He further attached a picture of his handshake with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, saying they had “creative discussions”.

The top Iranian diplomat held talks with Al Thani in Tehran on Thursday afternoon.

During the meeting, Araghchi welcomed the continued role of regional and neighboring countries in helping to reduce tensions, stressing that the current situation is solely the result of the US-Israeli military aggression, as well as the continuation of the United States’ interventionist and illegal actions, particularly its naval blockade and economic terrorism against Iran.

Meanwhile, he underlined the need for strengthening trust among regional countries with the aim of establishing indigenous regional security mechanisms that are independent of interference by external actors. 

All countries in the region, he said, should adhere to the principle of good neighborliness and prevent the United States from using their territory and facilities to launch acts of aggression and wage economic warfare against Iran.

The US and Israel launched their illegal war of aggression against Iran on February 28 by assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders.

Forty days later, on April 8, the enemies were forced to accept a ceasefire amid Iran’s resistance, successful retaliatory operations, and a powerful grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

In July, the US conducted waves of deadly air raids on Iran and imposed a naval blockade of the country in violation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Islamic Republic, signed on June 17, to end the war.

In response, the Iranian armed forces launched devastating strikes against strategic American targets across West Asia and declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic.

Araghchi said that the insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz is the outcome of the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, which was carried out with the support and complicity of certain regional states.

“It is impossible to speak of a return to the situation as it existed before February 28, 2026 without taking into account the realities on the ground, as well as the crimes committed and the damage inflicted on Iran,” he pointed out.

“Iran had been acting in good faith in fulfilling its obligations under the war-termination MoU, including its Article 5, when the United States reneged on its commitments and disrupted the implementation process. More recently, by announcing a new wave of economic terrorism, the US has further exposed its animosity and hostility toward the Iranian people.”

Additionally, the Iranian foreign minister said that the Islamic Republic remains determined and steadfast in pursuing its national interests and security and that the country will use all available means to defend its national sovereignty and interests.

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