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

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that a potential resurgence of hostilities with Israel and the United States would not alter Iran’s stance. These remarks emerged as the US and Israel voiced threats of further assaults on Iran, following President Donald Trump’s assertion on Friday that Washington “may conduct another Epic Fury,” alluding to the US-Israeli conflict in Iran that commenced on February 28.

Araghchi remarked during a televised broadcast from Tehran that discussions about a new war were currently underway, but he was already contemplating the aftermath. He emphasized that regardless of the occurrence of war or not, Iran’s policies remain unchanged. “They have already inflicted such outcomes twice, and they know that attempting it again will yield no different results,” Araghchi asserted.

The April 8 ceasefire between Iran and the United States concluded the most intense combat, with intermittent skirmishes persisting near the vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global energy transportation. These military confrontations have subsided in recent weeks. Iran has asserted dominion over the strait since the war's inception and frequently obstructs vessels attempting passage without its authorization—a move vehemently opposed by Washington and regional nations.

In response, the US has upheld a naval blockade on Iranian ports. In June, Iran reached an agreement with the United States through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, outlining a roadmap for a permanent resolution to the conflict; however, the arrangement was later abandoned as both parties accused the other of non-compliance.

Tehran has since advocated for the restoration of the accord to halt the ongoing strife. Reflecting on the current war, Araghchi remarked, “The current conflict has fundamentally altered everything. We must acknowledge that new realities have emerged. Shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz will no longer be the same, and the governance of the strait will undergo a transformation.”

He concluded by emphasizing the necessity for the region to strive for a complete absence of foreign forces to attain peace and stability.