Iran (IMNA) -Speaking in an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press program on Sunday, September 27, Araghchi said Iran stands “firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war.”
“At the same time, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose,” he added.
Araghchi made the remarks in response to a Wall Street Journal report that US President Donald Trump could seek to resume bombing Iran after the US midterm elections.
The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran had pursued every available diplomatic avenue during meetings and interviews on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week in an effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Araghchi said Trump’s messages had been “contradictory.”
Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected an Iranian proposal. Araghchi, however, told NBC News that despite the US president’s public comments, the rejection had not yet been officially communicated to Tehran through mediators.
The Iranian foreign minister reiterated that Iran was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of an agreement to end the war. He said Tehran was seeking the release of its frozen funds and assets, as well as the ability to sell its oil.
Araghchi said Iran had tried every diplomatic avenue to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and that no one could accuse the Islamic Republic of failing to pursue a diplomatic path.
He said Iran’s conditions were “not new” and had already been included in previous US commitments, referring to a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries in June that outlined plans for a temporary ceasefire.
The agreement, mediated by Pakistan, collapsed within days after the United States refused to comply with its obligations under the MoU, according to Araghchi.
“If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy,” Araghchi said. “But I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn’t miss any chance for peace.”
“We don’t care about US midterm elections,” the Iranian foreign minister added. “We care about our national interests.”
Trump has threatened to “annihilate” Iran if a deal is not reached, while saying he expected an agreement after the US midterm elections.
Araghchi had earlier said there was no way forward other than a negotiated solution based on dignity and justice while ensuring the legitimate rights and demands of the Iranian people.
He also said Iran had already demonstrated its power to the world in the military, diplomatic and economic spheres, as well as in confronting sanctions.
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