Iran on Tuesday said it is ready for peace but made it clear that “it’s up to the United States” to decide the next course, even as it warned it remains prepared for conflict if needed.
Speaking exclusively
to CNN-News18 ahead of talks in Islamabad, Iranian envoy to India Mohammad Fathali said Tehran is open to all outcomes, though it prefers diplomacy.
“What will bring peace? It’s up to the other side. We are ready for peace. We are ready for any option, but we prefer peace,” Fathali said.
At the same time, he underlined that Iran would respond if attacked. “We are ready for war. They (US) think they can finish in two or three days, but our people, our country, will defend. After 42 days, they want to sit at the negotiating table,” he said.
His remarks come as US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead a delegation for talks with Iran, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner. The Iranian side is likely to be represented by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, though there remains no official confirmation on Tehran’s participation. Reports suggest Ghalibaf may attend if Vance is present.
The war, which began on February 28, has entered its seventh week, with a fragile ceasefire currently in place and set to expire on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has warned that Iranian infrastructure could be targeted if a deal is not reached.
Fathali accused Washington of already carrying out attacks on Iranian infrastructure and civilians. “I have statistics to show you how many have been killed. They attacked our infrastructure — our roads, our railways and health centres,” he said.
The envoy also thanked India and its people for their support during the conflict. “Indians have shown their sympathy and solidarity. They know we are fighting for our dignity,” he said.
India has sent humanitarian aid to Iran since the February 28 conflict, primarily in the form of medical supplies, with the first shipment delivered in mid-March and additional consignments following.
