On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said from Beirut that Iran does not want a new war but asserted it is “prepared” for one if Israel or the United States launches further attacks on its territory.
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“We do not want war, but we are prepared for it, just as we are prepared for negotiations based on mutual respect,” Iran’s top diplomat said during a press briefing in Beirut, where he is on a two-day visit to meet with Lebanese authorities.
Araqchi also referenced his country’s willingness to negotiate over its nuclear program with the United States, amid ongoing tensions and following incidents such as a 12-day war in which the administration of President Donald Trump and the Israeli state bombed nuclear and military infrastructure in Iranian territory.
“The U.S. and Israel have already tested their attack against Iran once, and that attack and strategy failed completely. If they repeat it, they will face the same consequences,” the Persian diplomat said.
He also noted that the Middle East is facing “unprecedented challenges,” especially since Israel has attacked seven territories – Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Qatar – since the start of the offensive against Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.
The foreign minister denounced that Israel “is failing to meet its commitments under the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon” reached in November 2024, as the Israeli army continues to bombard Lebanese soil almost daily.
“Iran has always supported and continues to support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Lebanon, and we believe the stance of the Lebanese government is the same as ours,” Araqchi said.
Relations between Iran and Lebanon have deteriorated in recent months over the Islamic Republic’s support for Hezbollah, which Beirut seeks to disarm in order to limit weapons possession exclusively to the state.
