Iran ‘fully prepared’ for war to resume but diplomacy not over yet, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sent a stark warning to Washington, stating that Tehran is fully prepared for a resumption of hostilities, including the possibility of a doomsday war, if diplomatic efforts continue to fail. Speaking on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Araghchi emphasized that while Iran stands firm against any new aggression, the door to diplomacy remains open. This tension follows President Donald Trump’s public dismissal of an Iranian proposal to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a move Trump characterized as a sign of weakness from a side that is losing badly.

The proposed deal, relayed through Qatari mediators during the UN General Assembly, suggested reopening the oil chokepoint within seven days in exchange for the release of frozen assets and the ability for Iran to sell its oil. While Araghchi argued these terms were consistent with previous agreements and essential for peace, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz described the offer as cynical. Waltz insisted that granting Iran access to billions in frozen funds was unacceptable and questioned who was truly calling the shots in Tehran given recent attacks on international shipping.

Despite the friction and Trump’s rhetoric regarding whether to annihilate Iran or reach an accord, Araghchi maintained that he is pursuing peace simply because every opportunity should be exhausted. He dismissed suggestions that Iran is timing its moves around upcoming U.S. midterm elections, asserting instead that Tehran is focused solely on its own national interests rather than American political cycles.

The geopolitical standoff arrives at a precarious moment as both nations weigh the costs of escalation versus concession. While Trump suggested a deal might emerge shortly after the midterms, citing a belief that it would eventually make sense for Iran to cooperate, current polling shows significant domestic disapproval of his handling of the conflict. For now, both sides remain locked in a high stakes game of brinkmanship over nuclear ambitions and maritime security in one of the world’s most volatile regions.