The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jaffari, has rejected claims by Iran’s top nuclear negotiator that the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the UN Security Council have made Iran more secure. Rather, Jaffari praised Iran’s defensive and military capabilities, which he said have allowed the nuclear negotiators to operate from a position of strength.

After a meeting of the top officials of the armed forces, Jaffari told reporters, “The strength of our diplomacy in the nuclear negotiations is indebted to the inspiration of the Islamic Revolution and the defensive and security powers of our system.”

While Jaffari did not address anyone by name, it was clear he was responding to a Dec. 2 speech by head negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif at Allamah Tabatabei University, where he said, “I maintain that as a result of these negotiations, it is Iran that has become more secure.”

Zarif said, “No one can beat the war drums against Iran anymore,” adding that plans to create “a hostile atmosphere against Iran have collapsed and the world understands that they can reach an understanding with Iran based on respect, dialogue and mutual understanding and common interests.”