Iran’s foreign minister said on Thursday that Tehran does not want war, but that the regime is ready for one should the United States and Israel attack again, as they did in June.
“America and Israel have tested their attack on Iran, and this attack and strategy faced extreme failure,” Abbas Araghchi claimed in reference to the 12-day conflict in June, adding that “if they repeat it, they will face the same results,” according to the Associated Press.
U.S. and Israeli officials have said the strikes significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, eliminating senior commanders and damaging key facilities.
Speaking to reporters in Beirut at the start of a two-day visit to Lebanon, the official said, “We are ready for any choice. We do not desire a war, but we are ready for it.”
Iran remains open to nuclear negotiations with Washington, but only under conditions of mutual respect, Araghchi asserted, rejecting what he termed “dictation” by the United States.
President Donald Trump has maintained maximum pressure on Iran since reimposing the policy in February, aiming to prevent nuclear-weapons development. In late December, Trump warned of additional strikes if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, during discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The comments come as the Iranian regime faces escalating unrest at home, with nationwide protests, the largest in three years, entering their 12th day on Thursday. Protests have spread to 111 cities and towns across all 31 provinces, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The group reported that at least 34 protesters and four security personnel have been killed in the unrest, and about 2,200 demonstrators have been arrested.
Demonstrations have erupted in anger over soaring inflation and a plunging currency, with the rial falling to a record low of 1.46 million to the dollar on Tuesday. The protests have widened to include calls to overthrow the Islamist government in Tehran, and strikes have also been part of the movement.
The theocratic dictatorship is also dealing with the reimposition of economic sanctions over nuclear violations, along with water and electricity crises.
