According to the Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei, Iran will not reduce its defense capabilities.

During his meeting with the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, and members of the Assembly of Experts, Khamenei said the suggestion to reduce Iran's defense capabilities to avoid stirring the enemy's sensitivities cannot be any more naive. 

He considered that other proposals including avoiding Iran's presence in the region and giving up scientific progress in the nuclear field are a blow to national capability, explaining that such a proposal is fragile and entails many errors.

He added that regional influence is what gives Iran strategic depth and national strength, so why then, he asked, would Iran abandon it?

Khamenei stressed that nuclear scientific development will contribute to meeting the country's needs in the near future and asked that if Iran were to refrain from it, who would it then extend its hand to?

Amir-Abdollahian: Sanctions cannot halt our development 

Simultaneously, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian asserted that no sanctions can stop the great nation of Iran.

The Commander of the Space Division of Iran's Aerospace Force, Brigadier General Ali Jaafar Abadi said on Wednesday that the Noor-II satellite was successfully placed in orbit.

He clarified that the "Qased" rocket, which took Noor-II to space, could have placed the satellite at a higher altitude.

He added that this sensory satellite collects visual data and has different uses, including those in the defense field, such as monitoring enemy movement. It can also be employed in civilian fields, such as agriculture or natural disasters.

By God's grace & endeavor of Iranian scientists & our proud IRGC, #Noor2 satellite successfully placed into orbit by indigenous #QasedSLV.

No sanction can stop the great nation of Iran.

With this unwavering attitude, we can prosper in all areas of knowledge, economy & industry.

— H.Amirabdollahian امیرعبداللهیان (@Amirabdolahian) March 10, 2022

Shamkhani: Vienna Talks remain complicated with Washington's undecidedness

Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Admiral Ali Shamkhani has stressed that nuclear negotiations are becoming more complicated with every hour that Washington does not make a decision.

In a tweet, Shamkhani stressed that Washington's desire to conclude a quick agreement means that it has no intention of a solid nuclear agreement.

Yesterday, the Iranian Assembly of Experts called on its negotiators in Vienna to increase the pressure on the major powers for full sanctions removal.

The Council issued a statement on Wednesday voicing appreciation for the negotiating team and its efforts in the Vienna Talks, calling on them to put the full removal of sanctions and their neutralization atop their agenda for the nuclear talks between Iran and the major world powers.