Iran FM: From football fields to battlefields, every step is a struggle for honor

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared a striking image online, placing photos of female students killed in a past US-Israel airstrike in Iran alongside documentation from the World Cup. Araghchi framed this juxtaposition as a representation of a broader national struggle.

"From the football field, to the negotiating table, to the battlefield, every step we take as Iranians is part of a larger struggle: defending the honor and dignity of our beloved people," Araghchi wrote in his post. His statement comes amid international mediators welcoming progress in diplomatic talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland.

Simultaneously, the Iranian national football team achieved a goalless draw against Belgium in their World Cup match. This result placed Iran at the top of Group G with two points, ahead of Belgium on goal difference. Belgium dominated possession, but Iran had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside.