Potential resumption of war with Israel, US will not change Iran's positions: Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that a potential resurgence of conflict with Israel and the United States would not alter his nation’s stance. This comes as the US and Israel have issued threats of renewed assaults on Iran, following President Donald Trump’s declaration on Friday of a possible "Epic Fury" similar to the 2020 US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28.

Araghchi spoke during a televised address from Tehran, emphasizing that regardless of whether a war occurs, Iran’s policy remains unchanged. He remarked that both nations have experienced the consequences of war twice, and any further attempt would yield no different results. The ceasefire signed on April 8 ended the most intense phase of the conflict, with intermittent skirmishes persisting in and near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial conduit for global petroleum shipments.

For the past few weeks, such military confrontations have subsided. Iran asserts sovereignty over the strait since the war's inception and has consistently targeted vessels attempting passage without its permission, actions that have drawn sharp rebukes from Washington and regional powers. In response, the US has continued to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

In June, Iran and the US reached an agreement encapsulated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, outlining a roadmap for a lasting resolution to the dispute. However, this agreement was later dissolved as each party accused the other of breach. Tehran has repeatedly called for its restoration to restore peace and stability.

Araghchi noted, "The ongoing war has fundamentally altered everything. We must acknowledge that new realities are prevailing. The shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz will undergo significant changes, and the Strait's governance will no longer be under the same management." He concluded by advocating for a region devoid of foreign military presence as a means to attain peace and stability.