Speaking to IRNA on the sidelines of a ceremony in Tehran on Wednesday, Baqaei said the continuation of the talks would depend on a review of the current situation after overnight events.

“We have to review it. Diplomacy and the battlefield are not separate matters; rather, they run alongside and complement each other in safeguarding Iran’s interests and security,” he said, when asked how long negotiations with Washington could continue while the ceasefire is repeatedly violated.

Baqaei stressed that Iran’s military and diplomatic tracks operate in coordination.

“Wherever the Armed Forces deem it necessary, they respond to the enemy with authority and strength, and last night’s events showed that Iran’s brave Armed Forces do not hesitate in defending the country,” he said.

“In the diplomatic sphere as well, the pillars of the establishment are fully coordinated. Wherever possible, they will use the tool of diplomacy, and wherever necessary, they will use military force to defend the country.”

On the status of the negotiations, Baqaei said, “In light of last night’s developments, we must review the situation. A diplomatic process does not take place in a vacuum, and advancing any diplomatic process requires a minimum level of space in which the ongoing process can move forward.”

He added that Washington’s “contradictory messages,” frequent changes in positions and demands, and repeated ceasefire violations, as well as Israeli breaches of the truce, have undermined the diplomatic process.

“Any diplomatic process is destabilized by resorting to force and illegal actions by one of the parties,” he added.

The remarks came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces launched strikes against Iran, claiming that the attacks came in response to Iran’s “downing of a US Army Apache helicopter,” which Iran has rejected as false.

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces launched drone and missile strikes against American military bases in the region.