Iran is fully prepared for doomsday war with US: FM Araghchi
Iranian FM Seyyed Abbas Araghchi warns of a doomsday war with the US after President Trump rejected Tehran's ceasefire and maritime reopening proposal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has issued a stark warning, stating that his nation is prepared to face a "doomsday war" with the United States. The high-stakes declaration comes in the wake of President Donald Trump's public rejection of a proposal from Tehran aimed at reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press," Araghchi addressed growing tensions following reports that the U.S. President has dismissed Iran's recent ceasefire offers. The Iranian official emphasized that Tehran remains undeterred by political cycles in Washington.
Tehran stands firm against aggression
The Foreign Minister made it clear that Iran's national interests take precedence over American political schedules. Addressing reports that the U.S. might resume military actions following the November midterm elections, Araghchi stated:
"We are fully prepared for the war to be resumed. We stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war. We don’t care about U.S. midterm elections. We care about our national interests."
Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Araghchi noted that the door to negotiations has not been entirely slammed shut. He suggested that the choice for peace lies with the American leadership, saying, "At the same time, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose."
The broken ceasefire and maritime disputes
The current friction stems from a proposal Iran put forward for a seven-day ceasefire. According to reports, this plan involved reopening the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate maritime trade, which would then lead to comprehensive talks regarding Iran's nuclear program. This arrangement was reportedly similar to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June, which collapsed following reciprocal military strikes.
Araghchi highlighted several key demands from the Iranian side to facilitate a settlement:
- The release of Iranian monies and assets that are currently frozen.
- The ability for Iran to resume oil sales.
- The reopening of the vital maritime corridor in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Foreign Minister expressed frustration that Trump's rejection of these terms had not been formally communicated through official diplomatic channels, despite being made public.
Washington's sharp rebuttal
The United States has been quick to dismiss Tehran's overtures as insincere. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz provided a scathing critique of the Iranian proposal during the same broadcast.
Waltz characterized the ceasefire attempt as a "cynical" move, primarily because it required the U.S. to grant access to billions of dollars in frozen funds and lift international sanctions. He questioned the reliability of Tehran, citing recent attacks on commercial vessels in international waters as evidence that Iran cannot be trusted.
"I think it’s kind of common sense that the president doesn’t have a lot of confidence this time," Waltz remarked, adding that the administration is focused on preventing Iran from holding the world hostage with nuclear capabilities.
As tensions escalate, the U.S. administration has signaled that it is keeping all options on the table to ensure global security, even as Iran maintains its readiness for the most extreme forms of conflict.