FM Araghchi says Iran does not rule out another war, is better prepared

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran does not rule out another conflict and is better prepared than during the 12-day war in June.

“This doesn’t mean that we welcome another war, but it is exactly to prevent the war, and the best way to prevent the war is to be prepared for that, and we are fully prepared and we have actually recovered everything which was damaged in the past aggression,” Araghchi said in an interview with Russia Today channel, released on Sunday.

“If they want to repeat the same failed experience, [they are free to do that,] but they don’t get any better results,” he added.

Responding to a question about whether the current US administration can take an approach consistent with Iran’s policy regarding the nuclear issue, Araghchi said, “It depends if they come to the conclusion that negotiation is different from dictation.” Meanwhile, he expressed Tehran’s readiness for a “fair and balanced” deal, provided that any agreement is reached through negotiation.

“We are already ready for a fair and balanced deal, a negotiated deal, but we are not prepared for a diktat. So, if they approach us for a fair and balanced idea, for a negotiated solution which is based on mutual benefits of both sides, then we would consider,” he said.