Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that any further escalation in the ongoing conflict will be the responsibility of the United States, accusing President Donald Trump of undermining efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
In a statement, Araghchi said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had shown openness to easing tensions with neighbouring countries, provided their airspace, territory and waters were not used to launch attacks against Iran. However, he claimed that this effort was “immediately killed” by what he described as Trump’s misinterpretation of Iran’s capabilities and intentions.
Araghchi warned that if Washington seeks escalation, Iran’s armed forces are prepared to respond and that responsibility for any intensification of the conflict would lie with the U.S. administration.
The Iranian foreign minister also criticised the U.S. military campaign, claiming that what he described as a “week-long misadventure” had already cost the U.S. military about $100 billion and the lives of American soldiers. He added that the economic cost could ultimately be borne by ordinary Americans through rising fuel prices.
Araghchi further argued that U.S. intelligence assessments had previously indicated that a war with Iran would likely fail, saying he had warned U.S. envoys that military action would not improve Washington’s bargaining position.
The remarks come as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate across the Middle East, with missile and drone strikes spreading to several countries in the region.
Iranian officials have repeatedly signalled readiness to defend the country while also expressing conditional willingness to reduce tensions with neighbouring states if they are not used as bases for attacks against Iran. (Newswire)
