(MENAFN) Iran declared on Monday that its defense capabilities will remain off-limits in any discussions related to its nuclear program.

During a press briefing in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei emphasized, “Iran’s defensive capabilities will never be subject to negotiations,” as reported by a news agency.

Baqaei also confirmed that no international nuclear inspectors are currently active inside Iran, but he noted that Massimo Aparo, deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is expected to visit the country “within the next 10 days.”

He explained that Iran’s parliament has passed legislation suspending certain aspects of its cooperation with the IAEA, and that the next steps will be determined following Aparo’s upcoming visit.

On May 16, the UK, France, and Germany—Europe’s trio of signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal—met in Istanbul to coordinate ongoing contact amid indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.

Previously, talks between Iran and the US were conducted through Omani intermediaries until June 13, when a surprise Israeli strike against Iran sparked a 12-day conflict targeting military, nuclear, and civilian sites, including senior commanders and nuclear scientists.

In retaliation, Tehran launched missile and drone attacks, while the US struck three Iranian nuclear facilities.

The hostilities ended after a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on June 24.

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