Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Iran “has never sought a conflict” with the United States and is open to “genuine and serious” negotiations, despite escalating tensions in the region.
Araghchi made the remarks on X a day after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with a major military strike if it resumed its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs.
He emphasized that Iran’s armed forces remain fully prepared to respond to any aggression with decisive measures. “Our restraint, which should not be mistaken for weakness, is the only reason American military installations in our region remained intact,” he said.
The foreign minister noted that while Iran and its people do not seek nuclear weapons, they would never give up on their “lawful rights.” He added that Washington could either continue to rely on “narratives manufactured by Israel” that lead to instability and miscalculation, or pursue a path “grounded in realism, diplomacy, and mutual respect.”
In a letter addressed to other countries’ foreign ministers, Araghchi described Trump’s threats as being in “flagrant violation” of international law and the United Nations Charter. He called on his counterparts to condemn the recent threats and “provocative” remarks.
Tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel have risen following a series of strikes in June, including Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and U.S. bombings of nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.
