Iran entering third phase of conflict with U.S. and Israel - diplomat 

ArmInfo.  Iran is entering the third phase of its conflict with the United States and Israel, stated Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic Kazem  Gharibabadi.

"There have been three phases so far. The first phase was the 12-day  war, he second was the unrest just seven months after the war's end.  ow we are entering the third phase," he said, according to media  reports.

According to Gharibabadi, everything currently happening around Iran  is the beginning of a new phase of the conflict: "Yes, they have  changed tactics, but I can say one thing: they will be defeated in  this phase, just as they were in the previous two."

At the same time, the Iranian diplomat reiterated that Tehran has  never desired war and does not want it now, but believes it is  necessary to be able to "stand up for itself" and will not stop  strengthening its defenses even if progress is made in the diplomatic  arena.