 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 21, 2026. (File Photo: Iran's Presidential website/WANA/REUTERS) |
Also on Wednesday, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, citing an Iranian political source, said that Iran would only negotiate a ceasefire if it received assurances that attacks would not occur in the future.
Earlier the same day, Iran’s armed forces warned they would carry out large-scale retaliation if the United States attacked Iranian ports. The warning came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted a message on X urging Iranian citizens to stay away from port facilities where the Iranian navy is conducting operations.
In related news, a representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday met US negotiators in Florida, the first meeting between the two sides since the conflict broke out.
A spokesperson for Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of the US President, said they discussed a range of issues and agreed to maintain contact.