Iran to pursue national interests through diplomacy or battlefield, official says

Behrouz Kamalvandi, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an international conference in Tehran on Sunday, said Iranian authorities have stressed that the country is pursuing negotiations and resistance simultaneously. He stated that Iran would pursue its national interests with determination, adding that securing them through diplomacy would be preferable. Otherwise, the country would seek to achieve them on the battlefield.

The conference, titled “Ecocide: The Silent War Crime,” was held at the Department of Environment’s conference hall. It aimed to examine the legal, humanitarian and environmental dimensions of war crimes and environmental devastation committed by the United States and the Israeli regime in Iran and the Gaza Strip. The gathering focused on the consequences of environmental destruction during recent conflicts.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) chief Mohammad Eslami also addressed the conference. Their remarks were not detailed in the report.

Kamalvandi’s comments reflect Iran’s stated dual approach of engaging in diplomacy while maintaining a stance of resistance. The conference provided a platform for Iranian officials to discuss what they describe as war crimes and environmental damage caused by the United States and Israel in the region.

According to Mehr News, the event underscored Iran’s continued emphasis on addressing environmental and humanitarian impacts of conflicts, even as it navigates diplomatic and security challenges.