Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Sunday that his nation is prepared to engage in a “doomsday” war with the United States, yet emphasized that he is keeping diplomatic avenues open to ensure no opportunity for peace is lost. The remarks were made during an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” following the recent United Nations General Assembly.
The comments come amid an intermittent conflict between the two nations that began on February 28. This ongoing confrontation has triggered significant disruptions in global energy markets, causing oil price spikes and contributing to inflationary pressures worldwide.
“If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy, but I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn’t miss any chance for peace,” Araghchi stated. “We are ready to negotiate as much as we are ready to face any challenge… We stand firm in the face of any aggression against us, even if it comes to a doomsday war.”
Earlier in the week, on Friday, Araghchi put forward a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart nuclear negotiations with Washington within a seven-day window, contingent upon specific American concessions. However, President Donald Trump rejected the offer. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Trump also indicated plans to resume bombing campaigns against Tehran following the U.S. midterm elections in November.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for Persian Gulf oil and gas exports, has been severely disrupted by Iran throughout the conflict. In a separate interview on NBC News, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz dismissed Iran’s latest proposal as a “cynical attempt to put something on the table that they knew was unacceptable.” Waltz added that the president intends to keep all military options available to prevent Iran from holding the world hostage with nuclear capabilities.
Despite the rebuke from Trump, Iran maintains that it will only reopen the strait if its conditions are met. On Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had seized an autonomous U.S. submarine, further escalating tensions. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s stance on his Telegram channel, stating, “Our conditions are clear; any progress toward the opening of the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon the fulfillment of these conditions, and we will not back down from them.” He noted that these terms had been fully communicated to mediators, who then relayed them to the American side.
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