TEHRAN — Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, has countered the prevailing Western rhetoric of inevitable conflict between Iran and the United States.

In a high-impact statement published on X late Saturday, Larijani pierced through the current atmosphere of psychological warfare, asserting, “Contrary to the artificial media war narrative, the formation of a structure for negotiations is progressing.”

This revelation signals that Tehran has effectively transitioned to active diplomatic leadership.

Larijani’s assessment follows a high-level strategic mission to Moscow earlier this week, where he held consultations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The diplomatic momentum reached a crescendo on Saturday as Larijani held talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in the Iranian capital.

A central pillar of this diplomatic offensive was cemented on Friday in Istanbul, where Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held marathon sessions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Araghchi emphasized that Tehran is prepared to enter a “fair and equitable” dialogue, but only after a clear framework is established that rejects military coercion.

Erdogan, who had previously held a constructive telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reiterated Ankara’s total opposition to foreign intervention and proposed a trilateral facilitating role to de-escalate the Tehran-Washington standoff.

A telephone conversation between Pezeshkian and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reinforced these moves.

President al-Sisi emphasized that “no military solution” exists for the current crisis, expressing Cairo’s readiness to support initiatives that return all parties to a dignified negotiating table.

While the “structure for negotiations” advances, Iran remains under no illusions regarding the nature of Western threats.

Even as U.S. President Donald Trump admitted to the media that “they [Iranians] are talking to us” and engaging “seriously,” the Islamic Republic has maintained a firm line.

On Sunday, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, dismissed recent American military posturing as a repetitive and ineffective tactic.

He warned that while Iran does not seek conflict, the cost of American aggression would be unprecedented.

“The Americans should know that if they start a war this time, it will be a regional war,” Ayatollah Khamenei declared, making it clear that the Iranian nation remains unintimidated by displays of military hardware.

Iranian officials have clarified that while Tehran is prepared for a “dignified and honorable” dialogue, the Trump administration must first cease its policy of threats and intimidation.

General Ahmad Vahidi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), has characterized the recent deployment of U.S. naval assets as a transparent “psychological operation” intended to induce a “war atmosphere.”

Vahidi stated Sunday that the Iranian Armed Forces are in a state of “excellent readiness,” far exceeding the capabilities of the 1980s “Sacred Defense era,” and warned that the enemy would be “unwise” to “test the tested.”

He stressed that the nation’s internal progress must remain unhindered by the enemy’s desperate information operations.

Iran’s Army (Artesh) chief, Major General Amir Hatami, said Saturday that the country’s armed forces are fully prepared for any military confrontation, warning that any misstep by Israel or the U.S. would endanger their own security and destabilize the region.