Dubai, Nov 3 (AP) Iran’s chief negotiator says it’s up to the United States to prevent renewed war after what he described as a “firm and rational response” to Washington. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf did not elaborate. His comments came after the US conducted defensive strikes on some Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Tuesday. Read our full coverage here.
Iranian parliament speaker says the ball is in the US court to prevent renewed war
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Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker says the ball is now in the US court to prevent new fighting after Tehran delivered what was a “firm and rational response” to the US, state TV reported.
In an address to parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran remained ready “for battle with its finger on the trigger.”
He did not elaborate and it was unclear what “response” he referred to. His comment came after a US official said the military conducted defensive strikes on some Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the official, the strikes targeted Iranians using surface-to-air missiles. The official wasn’t authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Iranian state television reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island.
Ghalibaf said: “If Washington makes another strategic miscalculation, it should know that this time it will face a new battlefield and will find itself even more desperate than it is today, searching for a way out.”
China calls for dialogue to resolve disputes
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Amid prospects of renewed US attacks on Iran, China called on all the parties to resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiations.
“China believes that military means do not help resolve problems and will only exacerbate tensions and escalate the situation,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular briefing in Beijing.
China announced on Monday that it will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November as part of Beijing’s efforts to promote regional peace.
(PTI News)
