Iran steadfast even if it comes to 'apocalyptic war', Foreign Minister says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared Iran's unwavering stance in the face of potential conflict, including an apocalyptic war, in a recent social media post. Mr Araghchi expressed Iran's ongoing wait for a formal US response to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which he stated could be accomplished within a week.

Despite facing aggression during prior negotiations, Iran remains open to diplomatic discussions, according to Mr Araghchi. He elaborated on the conditions Iran would accept, such as the US ending the "war of aggression," releasing frozen Iranian assets, and permitting Tehran to sell its oil. The foreign minister emphasized that these requirements were inherent rights of Iran and questioned why the US was reluctant to release the funds beforehand.

Mr Araghchi also noted that Iran had not failed to engage in diplomacy, but had reservations about returning to talks with the current US administration due to repeated attacks during prior negotiations. He underscored Iran's readiness for genuine diplomacy and its desire to avoid war, stating that the talks were not aimed at promoting conflict.

In a separate interview, Mr Araghchi recounted that Iran had agreed to negotiate with the US in May 2025, engaging in three months of talks before the US breached the agreement after two weeks. He reiterated Iran's willingness to pursue diplomacy, asserting that diplomacy was never a failure and that they remained open to negotiations while remaining prepared to confront any challenge.

Mr Araghchi highlighted that Iran was prioritizing its national interests over US political factors, including the US midterm elections, and warned that Tehran was prepared to respond to further aggression. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz criticized the Iranian proposal, stating that President Trump did not believe Iran was acting in good faith and was unwilling to negotiate the end of its nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.

Waltz also pointed to breaches of the ceasefire agreement and violations of the United Nations' sanctions on Iran, which he believed warranted skepticism towards Iran's recent offer.