Amid the recent tensions between Washington and Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghachi said that Iran had no intention of going to war with Israel or the United States, but would respond decisively
to any renewed attack.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival in Beirut, the Foreign Minister said Tehran remains open to negotiations with Washington over its nuclear programme, provided talks are conducted on the basis of mutual respect rather than what he described as “dictation” by the US.
Araghchi’s comments come as concerns grow that Israel, a close US ally, could again target Iran following the 12-day conflict in June, during which Israeli strikes killed several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. The United States also carried out air strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities during the conflict.
“America and Israel have already tested their strategy of attacking Iran, and that approach ended in complete failure,” Araghchi said. “If they repeat it, they will face the same results.”
The remarks were made at the start of a two-day visit to Lebanon, as Iran seeks to underscore its readiness to defend itself while signalling that diplomatic engagement on its nuclear programme remains possible despite the recent escalation.
