Iran FM tells US there is no military solution to their conflict

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that there is no military resolution to the ongoing conflict between his nation and the United States. Diplomacy talks aimed at ending the war seem to have reached a stalemate. A series of intense airstrikes have yet to bring a conclusive end to the war initiated by the US and Israel in late February.

Since then, Washington has scaled back its military actions in favor of economic sanctions. Araghchi warned that if adversaries pursue a military confrontation again, Iran's response will be more intense, as the country will defend itself with even greater force. He reiterated at a gathering of foreign ambassadors that there is no military solution nor any solution based on new sanctions.

Only negotiations grounded in justice and fairness could bring an end to the conflict. The two sides had reached a memorandum of understanding in June to provide a framework for a permanent resolution, but the agreement fell apart, primarily due to disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has sought to assert control over this crucial shipping lane since the war's inception and has targeted vessels attempting to pass through without authorization.

Iranian and US officials held indirect talks last week during the UN General Assembly, where Tehran presented seven conditions for reopening the strait. However, US President Trump rejected the proposal, while leaving open the possibility of further talks or renewed military operations. The United States has not attacked Iran since September 1.

According to the US media outlet Axios, top Trump cabinet members gathered on Friday to deliberate the war in Iran, as well as the conflict in Yemen, where the Teheran-backed Houthis have been battling government forces and attacking Saudi Arabia.