Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has not requested a ceasefire or negotiations with the United States, stating that Iran will continue defending itself amid the ongoing conflict with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
In an interview on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Araghchi described the war as a “war of choice” by Washington and said Iran would sustain its response “until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”
Abbas Araghchi also defended Iran’s regional military actions, saying Tehran targets only US military assets and installations in neighbouring states hosting American forces. He rejected claims that Iranian strikes hit civilian areas and argued that countries allowing US operations from their territory cannot expect Iran to remain passive.
Addressing the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said Iran has not formally closed the waterway but confirmed that some countries have approached Tehran seeking safe passage for oil and gas vessels, with Iranian authorities permitting certain ships to transit under security guarantees.
On Iran’s nuclear programme, Araghchi said around 440kg of enriched uranium reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently believed to be buried under rubble after strikes on nuclear facilities. He said recovery could occur in the future under IAEA supervision, but no plan is currently in place.
The foreign minister added that Iran had previously offered to dilute its 60% enriched uranium during negotiations with US officials, though no proposals are currently on the table. He also said American detainees in Iran remain safe as long as prisons are not targeted during the conflict.
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