Iran's FM Araghchi says Tehran ready for both war and diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran is fully prepared for a resumption of war while remaining open to diplomacy, in an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press" program. "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," Araghchi told moderator Kristen Welker. "At the same time, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose."

Araghchi said that despite public comments by President Trump, a rejection of diplomatic efforts had not been officially communicated to Iran through mediators. He reaffirmed that Iran was ready to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of an agreement to end the conflict, adding that in return, "we want our monies, our assets, which are illegally frozen, to be released. We want to be able to sell our oil." He described these conditions as "not new" and said they were matters the United States had already committed to previously, referring to the Pakistani-mediated Islamabad memorandum of understanding, according to an NBC report.

"If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy," Araghchi said. "But I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn't miss any chance for peace." He also stated, "We don't care about U.S. midterm elections. We care about our national interests."

The interview took place in New York, where Araghchi is attending diplomatic engagements. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil shipments, and its potential reopening is a key element in negotiations to end the conflict. The Islamabad memorandum of understanding, mediated by Pakistan, has been cited by Iranian officials as a prior framework for commitments.

According to Mehr News, Araghchi's remarks underscore Iran's dual approach of military readiness and diplomatic engagement, with the decision on whether to pursue diplomacy resting with the U.S. administration.