Iranian foreign minister warns of ‘large-scale war’ if Israel attacks again
In week-old comments aired Saturday, Araghchi tells Chinese broadcaster that Tehran is prepared for an Israeli strike, says Iran will pursue diplomacy and ‘reason will prevail’

Iran’s top diplomat said Tehran is ready for any future Israeli attacks on the country, warning that such action could spark a wider conflagration, in comments aired Saturday.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s remarks to Chinese state-run media come amid rising concern that Iran could move toward pursuing a nuclear weapon as it is increasingly pushed into the corner following a series of devastating blows, coupled with the looming inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who maintained a hawkish stance toward Tehran his last time in office.
Speculation has also arisen that Israel may strike Iran in response to recurring ballistic missile attacks launched against Israel by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, which receive arms and other support from the Islamic Republic.
“We are fully prepared for the possibility of further Israeli attacks,” Araghchi said to China’s state-run CCTV, according to a translation provided by the broadcaster. “I hope Israel will refrain from taking such reckless action, as it could lead to a large-scale war.”
Israel has carried out two direct attacks on Iran over the past year in response to unprecedented drone and missile attacks, including an October 1 barrage of some 200 ballistic missiles, most of which were intercepted.
Israeli warplanes carried out a counterstrike on October 26, hitting military facilities and air defenses protecting other key sites.
In April, Israel hit an air defense battery near a nuclear site in response to a volley of some 300 drones and missiles fired at Israel by Iran.
In contrast to bombastic rhetoric often utilized by Tehran to threaten Israel, however, Araghchi said Iran would pursue a “diplomatic approach” and would consult with allies, including China.
“We believe that reason will ultimately prevail and prevent actions that could have serious consequences,” Araghchi said.
The interview with Araghchi was conducted on December 28, during a two-day state visit by the Iranian diplomat to Beijing last month seeking to cement bilateral ties. It was only aired a week later.
During a meeting on December 28, Araghchi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi discussed Iran’s nuclear program, with Araghchi telling a press conference following the meeting that “2025 will be an important year regarding Iran’s nuclear issue.”

During the meeting, Wang spoke out against sanctions imposed on Iran and in support of the 2015 deal between Tehran and world powers, including China, meant to curb nuclear enrichment, according to a Chinese statement.
The deal has all but fallen apart since Trump pulled the US out in 2018, reimposing sanctions. Since then, Iran has ramped up enrichment nearly to military-grade levels while building up a large stockpile, prompting the UN’s nuclear watchdog to censure Tehran last month. Efforts to renegotiate an agreement under US President Joe Biden collapsed in 2023, and observers believe Trump will pursue an even tougher stance toward Iran.

Wang told Araghchi that Beijing “firmly supports the Iranian side in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.”
China is Iran’s largest trading partner and a top buyer of its sanctioned oil.
Some influential voices in Iran have in recent weeks called for the country to reconsider its official policy banning the pursuit of nuclear arms in response to Trump’s election and other setbacks, including an Israeli military campaign that decimated the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.
The last several weeks have seen an uptick in attacks from Yemen’s Houthis, including a ballistic missile fired toward Israel early Sunday that the Israel Defense Forces said was shot down before reaching its territory. The attacks, usually carried out in the middle of the night, have forced millions of Israelis into bomb shelters and at points, caused extensive damage.

With Israeli counterattacks on the Houthis proving largely ineffective, some have suggested striking Iran, which denies supplying the Houthis despite Western forces intercepting Iranian weapons shipments intended for the hardline insurgent group.
Among those reportedly pushing for Israel to carry out a direct strike against Iran is Mossad chief David Barnea, who recently was said to have told government officials that Israel needs to “go for the head [of the snake], for Iran — if we only hit the Houthis, it’s not certain we’ll manage to stop them.”