Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Tehran is prepared for a potential "doomsday war" with the United States, while simultaneously emphasizing that diplomatic channels remain open. This dual stance comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations, which have been engaged in an intermittent conflict since February 28th, leading to significant global economic repercussions, including a surge in oil prices and heightened inflation.
Araghchi, speaking on NBC News' "Meet the Press" following the United Nations General Assembly, articulated Iran's position: "If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy, but I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn't miss any chance for peace." He further asserted, "We are ready to negotiate as much as we are ready to face any challenge ... We stand firm in the face of any aggression against us, even if it comes to a doomsday war."
Earlier, Araghchi had proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks with the U.S. within seven days, provided certain conditions were met by the Trump administration. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected this proposal. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump informed aides that he anticipates resuming bombing raids on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections in November.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, characterized Iran's offer as a "cynical attempt to put something on the table that they knew was unacceptable," adding that President Trump "will leave all options on the table to ensure the world is safe from Iran holding the world hostage with a nuclear weapon."
Iran maintains its stance on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, only upon the fulfillment of its conditions, despite Trump's rejection. Senior Iranian military officials have reiterated the country's readiness to continue the conflict. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed on Sunday to have captured a U.S. Remus 600 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the waterway closed to unauthorized traffic.
Tehran's conditions for reopening the Strait include a cessation of U.S. "acts of aggression," an end to the naval blockade and economic warfare, and the release of Iranian assets. The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli air strikes on February 28th, has severely disrupted energy shipments from the Middle East, contributing to the surge in crude oil prices. Despite the ongoing tensions, crude prices saw a significant drop for the week as diplomatic discussions took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
