TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran was prepared for renewed war-’ doomsday ’-with the United States but remained open to diplomacy.
Araghchi made the comments on NBC News’ Meet the Press after diplomatic contacts during last week’s United Nations General Assembly. “We are ready for diplomacy. We are ready for war at the same time,” he said.
Araghchi had proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting nuclear negotiations within seven days if Washington accepted Iran’s conditions.
US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal. However, Araghchi said Tehran was still awaiting a formal US response through mediators.
Read: Iran Holds Firm on Hormuz Plan After Trump Rejects Offer
Iran’s conditions include an end to what Tehran calls US aggression and economic warfare. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also listed an end to the naval blockade and the release of Iranian assets.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz rejected Iran’s offer in a separate NBC interview. He described the proposal as unacceptable and said Trump was keeping his options open.
Araghchi, meanwhile, said only negotiations could resolve the deadlock. Iran has maintained restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. Tehran says it will not reopen the waterway unless its conditions are met.
Read: Iran Holds Firm on Hormuz Plan After Trump Rejects Offer
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was prepared for renewed war with the US, even a “doomsday war”, while keeping diplomacy open.
