Iran ready for “doomsday war” while keeping diplomacy open – FM Araghchi

Iran is ready for both negotiations and a new military conflict with the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

“We are fully prepared for the time for the war to be resumed, and I repeat, we stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war,” the FM noted, when asked about a Wall Street Journal report suggesting that Trump could seek to resume bombing after the US midterm elections. “At the same time, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose.”

He added that Tehran was ready for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict, provided that Washington accepts Iran’s seven-point plan. As part of the proposal, Iran offered last week to reopen the strait and restore normal maritime passage through the critical global oil chokepoint within seven days. The plan was conveyed to the US through mediator Qatar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Trump subsequently said he had rejected the Iranian proposal.

However, the minister told moderator Kristen Welker that despite Trump’s public comments, the rejection of the proposal had still not been officially communicated to Iran through mediators. He nevertheless reaffirmed that Tehran was ready to reopen the strait as part of an agreement to end the conflict, adding that, in return, “we want our monies, our assets, which are illegally frozen, to be released. We want to be able to sell our oil.”

In June, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at launching a process toward a peace agreement. However, the arrangement broke down after fresh strikes were exchanged, leading to a renewed escalation.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of the conflict, with normal maritime passage through the waterway currently disrupted. 

By Jeyhun Aghazada