Iran does not want war with Israel or the United States, but is ready to fight back if attacked again, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday.
– Araghchi told reporters that Iran is also ready for negotiations with the US over its nuclear program as long as the talks are based on mutual respect rather than “dictation” by Washington.
– The minister’s comments came as many fear that close US ally Israel will target Iran again as it did during the 12-day war in June
– “America and Israel have tested their attack on Iran and this attack and strategy faced extreme failure,” Araghchi said.
– “If they repeat it, they will face the same results.”
– “We are ready for any choice. We don’t desire a war but we are ready for it,” Araghchi said.
– Araghchi said Tehran is ready for negotiations, adding: “But I say that the negotiations should be based on mutual respect and mutual interests.”
– “We believe that once the Americans reach the outcome that constructive and positive negotiations rather than ordering dictation are the framework, then at that time the results of the these negotiations become fruitful,” he said.
– Trump last month warned Iran that the US could carry out further military strikes if the country attempts to reconstitute its nuclear program as he held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.