Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered an end to the "no war, no peace" standoff with the United States.
Citing the president's remarks, Tasnim News Agency reported on Monday that Iran could negotiate and resolve issues under the premise of preserving its dignity.
Pezeshkian also said a war should be avoided if Iran could secure its rights through negotiations, but it would not submit to force and bullying.
Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said under the supreme leader's new directives, the Iranian Armed Forces would focus on rapid responses and operational effectiveness to take actions without geographic limits, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Monday.
Akraminia said Iran's military doctrine previously based on defense and retaliatory deterrence is shifting towards an operational direction.
He said that despite political changes in the United States, Iran would continue to build its military capacity and enhance its deterrence capabilities.
Iran's supreme leader orders end to "no war, no peace" standoff with US: president
A Chinese envoy on Monday called for preserving basic humanitarian protections, easing tensions and seizing a window for peace talks as the UN Security Council voiced concern over rising civilian casualties and worsening winter humanitarian risks in Ukraine.
Addressing the UN Security Council, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the Ukraine crisis was reaching a critical juncture for a negotiated settlement, as international calls for peace and talks grew stronger. Recent exchanges among key stakeholders had sent positive signals, he said, and China supported efforts toward peace, urging all parties to work with one another, sustain the positive momentum and advance an early political settlement.
Sun said parties to the conflict had recently expressed views on a political resolution, while the international community had made extensive diplomatic efforts to encourage peace and negotiations. Russia, Ukraine and the United States are set to hold another round of trilateral talks. The parties should demonstrate political will, maintain contact and communication, gradually build consensus and work together toward a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement, he said.
"Conflict and war have no winners. All parties should learn lessons from this crisis, uphold the principle of indivisible security, take each other's legitimate security concerns seriously and address them properly, and pay particular attention to the root causes of the conflict. They should build a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture," said Sun.
Sun said China's position on Ukraine was consistent and that China had always advocated peace talks and a political settlement. China has maintained close communication with Russia, Ukraine and other relevant parties and actively pursued shuttle diplomacy, working persistently to create conditions for talks and build consensus for peace.
China stands ready to continue working with the international community toward an early ceasefire, an end to hostilities, and lasting peace and stability in the region, he said.
China calls for peace talks to end Ukraine crisis
