Iranian Foreign Minister sends ‘prepared for war’ message to the United States

International Desk, PNN

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that if the United States chooses a military path again, Tehran is prepared for it. In an interview on Monday, he said that while Iran keeps the door open for dialogue, the country’s military preparedness is much stronger than before to handle any situation.

His remarks came following a recent statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that the U.S. might consider “tough options,” including military action, to suppress anti-government protests in Iran. Meanwhile, preparations for talks on Iran’s nuclear program are ongoing; however, Trump did not rule out taking action if the situation deteriorates further.

Araghchi said that if the U.S. wants to “test” a military option, Iran is ready to respond. However, he expressed hope that Washington will choose dialogue as the “wise path.” He added that some parties want to involve the U.S. in a war to serve Israel’s interests.

Regarding nationwide protests, Araghchi stated that “terrorist elements” infiltrated the demonstrations and targeted security forces and protesters. Iran has long accused the U.S. and Israel of instigating unrest. Official reports say over a hundred security personnel have been killed in recent violence, though opposition sources claim the death toll is higher, including many protesters. Independent verification of these figures is not possible.

Internet services, which were suspended for several days, are gradually being restored, he added. An observer organization reported that the country was offline for nearly four days until a specific time.

Araghchi also mentioned that communication with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitaker continued before and after the protests. Various proposals discussed in talks are being reviewed in Tehran. He emphasized that Iran will not engage in nuclear discussions under “threat or pressure.”

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if the U.S. intervenes directly, its military and Israel would become “legitimate targets.” White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt stated that while Iran publicly delivered a message, private communications were more nuanced. The U.S. administration is also reportedly considering resuming proposed military talks with Iran.

Experts say that ongoing protests and diplomatic tensions have made statements from both countries highly sensitive, with attention now focused on how effective dialogue will be versus the risk of renewed conflict.