Iran is fully prepared for a possible resumption of the war with the United States while remaining ready to pursue diplomacy, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
Axar.az reports that Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” following US President Donald Trump’s rejection of Iran’s seven-day ceasefire proposal.
“We are fully prepared for the war to be resumed. I repeat, we stand firm in the face of any new aggression even if it comes to a doomsday war,” Araghchi said.
“But at the same time, we are ready, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose,” he added.
He also said Iran remained willing to negotiate despite what he described as repeated violations of previous agreements.
“But I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn't miss any chance for peace. We don't care about, you know, U.S. midterm elections, we care about our national interests. We are ready to negotiate as much as we are ready to face any challenge,” Araghchi said.
Regarding the seven-day proposal, he said Iran was waiting for an official US response through mediators and that the plan remained available.
“If they are serious that they want a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, now there is the possibility. We have offered this seven-day plan. We want them to do certain things which they can do in four, five days and then on the sixth the strait will be open and day seven resume talks for the final [deal],” Araghchi said.