Updated

On Tuesday, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Iran does not seek war but will defend itself, while visiting the Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology. During the visit to knowledge-based companies, and a later meeting with heads of national research institutes, Aref said confrontation with adversaries would continue whether or not peace is achieved, so Iran must push ahead with advanced technology to keep the upper hand. He called science and technology strategic pillars of defense and deterrence, and said the two recent wars imposed by the United States and Israel showed the value of long-term investment. Aref also named preserving scientific achievements, strengthening research institutes, closing delays in the national Vision Document and using the country's specialists as priorities. IRNA reported that he said Iran is fully capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The remarks came as Washington and Tehran pursue diplomatic channels to resolve their differences.