TEHRAN, April 19: Iran’s armed forces are on full combat readiness despite ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran to resolve the conflict in the Middle East, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
“We don’t trust the enemy. Even now, while we’re sitting here, a war could break out. The armed forces are on full combat readiness on the ground,” Press TV quoted Ghalibaf as saying.
According to the broadcaster, the parliament speaker denies that ongoing negotiations “could lead to negligence” regarding national security.
“We don’t believe that because we’re negotiating, the armed forces aren’t ready. On the contrary, just like the people on the streets, our armed forces are also ready,” Ghalibaf noted.
Earlier, Pakistani broadcaster Geo TV reported that the second round of US-Iran talks would be held in Islamabad, likely at the end of next week.
On February 28, the US and Israel began striking targets in Iran, killing over 3,000 people. On April 8, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Subsequent talks in Islamabad ended without result. While no resumption of hostilities was announced, the US has begun a blockade of Iranian ports. Mediators are attempting to organize a new round of talks.
(UNI)
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