Iran vows dialogue to resolve problems, rejects surrender to "enemies"

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that his administration will work to resolve problems created by Iran's "enemies" through dialogue, according to the Iranian president's office.

Speaking at a meeting with the country's governors and mayors in Tehran, Pezeshkian said that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had granted the government certain authorities to pursue diplomatic solutions.

He stressed that no one benefits from war, adding that the country's "enemies" will not be able to make Iran surrender.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi's recent visit to Doha was aimed at exchanging information with the United States. Related Iran-U.S. discussions were ongoing, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was leading Iran's negotiation team.

Baghaei said at a regular press briefing that Iran had conveyed all its legitimate demands to Washington in a reasonable manner, and meeting those demands was a prerequisite for restoring regional security.

He confirmed Ghalibaf remains Iran's lead negotiator, and Iran's Supreme National Security Council is responsible for coordinating the country's diplomatic agenda.

Baghaei said that the United States must halt its unlawful actions, and that Iran would not move to the next phase of negotiations under U.S. threats and pressure. He pointed out that the basis for any indirect interaction between Iran and the United States through mediators remains the seven-day plan proposed by Tehran in September, adding Iran has reduced the period for implementing the plan to two days based on its good faith.

"This reflects Iran's goodwill and constructive stance. As Tehran has made clear, security in the Strait of Hormuz could be restored, paving the way for talks if Iran's conditions are met. Ultimately, however, everything hinges on the United States and how it moves the process forward," said Baghaei.

Also on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said consultations mediated by Qatar and Pakistan to end regional hostilities have become "extremely intensive," given the sensitivity and critical nature of the current situation.

"Exchange of visits by delegations is evident, and tens of phone conversations are being held among the parties, and numerous messages are being exchanged," Araghchi said in an interview at the end of his visit to Turkmenistan with Iran's official IRNA news agency.

He reiterated Tehran's readiness for both diplomacy and defense, noting that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen if Iran's conditions are accepted.

On Sept. 22, Iran conveyed a seven-day proposal to the United States through mediators to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are committed to rationality, dialogue, and logic, and are ready to enter a positive engagement should the other side adopt a similar approach," Araghchi said, while warning that any further military escalation by Washington would draw a "far more bitter and severe" response.

Iran vows dialogue to resolve problems, rejects surrender to "enemies"

China's top legislature has convened its latest standing committee session in Beijing from November 2 to 6 to review a series of draft laws and amendment bills addressing issues including procuratorial public interest litigation, state-owned assets, Antarctic protection, and combating cross-border corruption.

The second draft of the cross-border anti-corruption bill anchors legislation in a holistic approach to national security, and stresses strict rule of law, due process and human rights protection.

According to Zhou Guangquan, Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Law Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, the draft sets out provisions for authorities to use information technology in cross-border anti-corruption work.

He also noted that members of the public have called for tighter safeguards for state secrets, work secrets, trade secrets, personal information and privacy.

Separately, some Standing Committee members and experts said enterprises with cross-border operations should factor in company size, business scope and risk prevention needs when establishing integrity compliance units or appointing dedicated anti-corrruption staff. Following deliberation, the suggestion was put forward for adoption.

The session will also review the second reading of the draft financial law.

The latest draft aims to boost consumer and investor protection, unify asset management rules, regulate online financial marketing, and tighten oversight of cross-border financial activities.

Xin Chunying, Chairperson of the Constitution and Law Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, said the committee proposed adding a rule that prevents overseas institutions or individuals providing financial products and services within Chinese territory without approval.

She also stated that entities legally providing such products and services in China must comply with laws, administrative regulations and the provisions of the State Council's financial regulatory authorities.

The draft Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law entered its third reading at the session with updated clauses outlining China's participation in global Antarctic governance, improving the national expedition management system, and protecting Chinese citizens' lawful rights in Antarctica.

Several other draft law revisions are being tabled for first deliberation at this session, including amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law to refine the foreign-related criminal litigation system, a revised Renewable Energy Law to tighten regulations and boost industrial development, and several updates to the Ecology and Environment Code that took effect in August.

Lawmakers will also review a State Council proposal to ratify the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

China's top legislature convenes standing committee session