Iranian parliament speaker allegedly met with Mojtaba Khamenei, discussed US tensions - report

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf allegedly met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media outlet IRIB.The two reportedly discussed ongoing hostilities with the US and the strengthening of Iran's military.Khamenei has not been seen in public since late February, when he reportedly went into hiding after joint US-Israel strikes killed his father, former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran ready for diplomacy and defense, Araghchi saysEarlier on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Iran is ready for diplomacy but will defend itself, in an article he wrote for the Financial Times."While Iran is firmly committed to seeking a dignified peaceful resolution to the conflict, we are also fully prepared to defend ourselves," he wrote.He said the White House had shown no willingness to reach an understanding and that there was little reason to expect progress now.