G7 foreign ministers expressed “our clear determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon, and urge[d] Iran to cease nuclear escalation”, which they indicated was coming “dangerously close to actual weapons-related activities”. They further underscored that “a diplomatic solution remains our preferred way”, and referred to the JCPOA as “a useful reference”. The ministers went on to note “grave concern regarding Iran's continued destabilising activities”, as well as “profound concern over Iran’s systematic human rights violations and abuses”. The following day, Iran’s foreign ministry characterised the accusations as “baseless and meddlesome”, urging the G7 countries to “adopt a realistic approach based on mutual respect, in which case, Iran will give a positive response”.

President Raisi asserted that “the enemies of the Islamic revolution, especially the Zionist regime [ie, Israel], have received the message of the power of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran that the slightest mistake against our country will be responded with a harsh response and will be accompanied by the destruction of Haifa and Tel Aviv”.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, met in Beijing. Per a joint statement, “the two sides discussed the importance of activating and pursuing the implementation of the [March 2023] Beijing Agreement, thus enhancing mutual trust and expanding cooperation, and contributing to realising security, stability and prosperity in the region”. They also “agreed to reopen their diplomatic missions within the agreed period, proceed with the necessary measures to open the embassies of the two countries in Riyadh and Tehran, and their consulates general in Jeddah and Mashhad, and continue coordination between the two sides' technical teams to explore ways of boosting cooperation” in different areas.

Iranian media reported that a defence ministry facility in Isfahan had been “the target of a failed attack by a small drone which was foiled by defence systems”; Iran’s interior minister did not confirm the report, saying: “It needs verification”.

Iran’s UN ambassador wrote to the Security Council condemning U.S. 23 March strikes in Syria, and maintaining that Iran had “never been involved, directly or indirectly, in any attacks against the U.S. military forces in Syria and Iraq”. He called on the U.S. to “end its illegal occupation” of Syrian territory, while maintaining: “Iran’s presence in Syria is fully legal and is based on a formal request and consent from the Syrian government to provide assistance and support in the fight against terrorism. The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its inherent right to self-defence under international law and will take decisive measures to protect its forces, interests and facilities from any threat or unlawful act perpetrated by the U.S. or others”.

Iran’s Navy reported that it had “identified and warned off a U.S. spy aircraft after it entered the country’s borders near the Sea of Oman”.

Syrian state media reported Israeli airstrikes “targeting a site in Damascus countryside”. Iran’s IRGC confirmed the death of two IRGC personnel during the attack, pledging revenge against Israel.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that he and his Azeri counterpart had “agreed on forming a united front in the face of Iran… We must work together to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear capability and will be best achieve that goal through political and economic means, while a credible military threat is understood”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson characterised the statement as “another piece of evidence proving the Zionist regime’s [Israel’s] evil intentions to turn the Republic of Azerbaijan’s territory into a threat against the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran… Iran cannot remain indifferent to the conspiracy that the Zionist regime advances against it from the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan”.

The spokesperson for Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) warned that “any pretext for attacking the bases created at the request of the Syrian government to fight with terrorism and ISIL[/ISIS] operatives in that country will be immediately met with a reciprocal response… Iran has suffered a lot in the battle against foreign-backed terrorism to reestablish durable security in Syria, and it opposes any action that endangers the stability of that country”. He also claimed that “the U.S. role in creating and supporting ISIL as a proxy in line with its political objectives in Syria and Iraq is evident… In the past two days, American helicopters with several sorties have transferred ISIL terrorists in Syria with the aim of increasing instability in the country, something that they have to be held to account for”.

The Pentagon announced it had carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting what it described as "facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)" in response to a UAV attack that killed a U.S. contractor; six others (one contractor and five service members) were injured. It further noted that "the intelligence community assess the UAV to be of Iranian origin". The following day, U.S. Central Command reported that a compound housing troops from the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition had been targeted with ten rockets. There were no injuries or damages at the facility, but four civilians were wounded in the attack. A U.S. service member was injured in a separate incident at Mission Support Site Conoco. President Biden asserted that “the U.S. does not… seek conflict with Iran, but be prepared for us to act forcefully to protect our people”. On 25 March, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson condemned the U.S. strikes against what he described as “civilian targets”, rejected U.S. allegations against Iran and emphasised that “Iran’s military advisors are in Syria at the request of the Syrian government for the purpose of helping the country in its struggle against terrorism”.

A senior Iranian diplomat confirmed that he had met with British, French and German diplomats in Oslo and discussed “a range of issues of mutual interest and concern”. “We spare no opportunity to clarify our views and warn against certain miscalculations”, he emphasised.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and his Saudi counterpart spoke and decided “to hold a bilateral meeting soon to pave the way for the reopening of embassies and consulates”. 

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned about what he described as “hybrid warfare” against Iran and maintained: “There is no military attack… But foreign propagandists and their followers in the country attack the political and religious beliefs of the people… the enemy uses the media and cultural, security, and economic elements as well as its influence”. He further insisted: “During recent unrest, U.S. president and heads of states of certain European countries openly offered weapons and financial and security support to rioters”. Khamenei went on to “categorically deny any presence in the Ukraine war”.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian stated that “an agreement was reached two months ago for Iranian and Bahraini technical delegations to visit the embassies of the two countries. We hope that some obstacles between Iran and Bahrain will be removed and we will take basic steps to reopen the embassies”.

Iranian Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) secretary Ali Shamkhani signed a security agreement in Iraq which, according to Iranian state media, would “have a decisive impact on reducing and managing the unwanted security challenges between the two states, which are caused due to the mischief of anti-Islamic establishment elements residing in Iraq’s Kurdistan region”. Shamkhani told his counterpart that “the careful implementation of such an agreement will lead to a significant decrease in terrorist threats and border insecurity, and prepare the ground for fostering bilateral ties in security, economic and political fields more than ever before”. Separately, he told Prime Minister al-Sudani that “a united, integrated and powerful Iraq is the pillar of stability in the region”, adding: “We should not allow the two countries’ interests to fall victim to the U.S.’s mischief and its terrorist mercenaries”. The following day, Shamkhani announced “a new arrangement to use Iranian funds that remain blocked in Iraq because of U.S. sanctions… The funds will be used to purchase basic goods and to settle payments owed by Iranian merchants to trade partners in Iraq”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson remarked that “the promotion of relations with regional countries, including Bahrain, is among the [Iranian] administration’s policies”, adding: “In view of a promising prospect, we can witness the realisation of new conditions in relations with the regional countries, including Bahrain… We are witnessing good diplomatic moves in this regard as well. Parliamentary diplomacy has also been almost activated in this regard”.

The UN’s special envoy for Yemen met Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and other senior Iranian officials in Tehran, conferring on “the need for regional support for the start of an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices to sustainably end the conflict”. Amirabdollahian emphasised that “Iran supports the continuation of the ceasefire in Yemen… [and] any negotiations which would help establish peace and stability in Yemen”.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian claimed that Iran and the U.S. had “reached an agreement in the recent days and everything goes well on the U.S. side, I think we will witness a prisoner exchange in a short period”. However, the following day White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasised that “there’s no deal. And the last thing that we want to do is give false hope to families that have been waiting for a long time for their loved ones to come home”.

Following talks in Beijing, Iran, Saudi Arabia and China jointly announced an agreement between Tehran and Riyadh to “resume diplomatic relations… and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in internal affairs of states”. A White House spokesperson indicated that “if this deal can be sustained… and the war in Yemen can end, and Saudi Arabia doesn’t have to continually try to defend itself against attacks from the Huthis who are funded and supported by Iran, in the end we welcome that”.