Iranian Foreign Minister warns that Tehran will respond more forcefully in the event of a new military confrontation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran would respond “more forcefully than before” if its adversaries resume the military confrontation. The statement was made before foreign ambassadors accredited to Tehran, at a time when diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional conflict are deadlocked.

“If our enemies once again choose the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even greater force,” the Iranian official said, according to AFP. Araghchi also argued that “there is no military solution, nor is there a solution based on new sanctions.”

The minister said that only negotiations based on “justice and fairness” can end the conflict and denounced what he called the illegal aggression against Iran.

The statements were made after US and Iranian officials met in New York at the end of September, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Tehran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions, but President Donald Trump rejected the offer, while not ruling out indirect negotiations or further strikes.

Meanwhile, Washington imposed additional sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector. On the ground, the US has not attacked Iran since September 1, but vessels continue to be periodically targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.