Iran ready to fight back if US or Israel attacks again, says foreign minister

Iran does not want war with Israel or the United States, but is ready to fight back if attacked again, the country’s foreign minister says.

Speaking upon arrival in Beirut, Abbas Araghchi tells reporters that Iran is also ready for negotiations with the US over its nuclear program as long as the talks are based on mutual respect rather than “dictation” by Washington.

Araghchi’s comments come as many fear an escalation similar to the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, which also saw US strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites.

“America and Israel have tested their attack on Iran and this attack and strategy faced extreme failure,” the Iranian official claims in Beirut at the start of a two-day visit to Lebanon. “If they repeat it, they will face the same results.”

“We are ready for any choice. We don’t desire a war but we are ready for it,” Araghchi says.

Araghchi says Tehran is ready for negotiations on its nuclear program, “but I say that the negotiations should be based on mutual respect and mutual interests.”

“We believe that once the Americans reach the conclusion that constructive and positive negotiations rather than ordering dictation are the framework, then the results of these negotiations will become fruitful,” he says.