Iran’s Supreme Leader Issues Warning as FM Says Tehran Ready for War or Diplomacy
At a glance
- Iran's Supreme Leader claims to have pushed 'the enemy' back to the Arabian Sea.
- Foreign Minister says Tehran is ready for 'apocalyptic war' but also for diplomacy.
- Iran is still awaiting an official response via mediators to its proposal, despite Trump's public rejection.
Story so far
Tensions between the US and Iran remain high amid conflicting signals on diplomacy. While US President Donald Trump has suggested talks could resume, Iran has sent mixed messages. Tehran previously offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if frozen assets were returned, a proposal Trump publicly rejected. Now, Iran's Supreme Leader has issued a warning, claiming to have pushed back enemy forces in the region. The Foreign Minister has stated Iran is prepared for war but also open to diplomacy, and is awaiting an official response to its proposal through mediators.
Latest development
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has claimed to have pushed "the enemy" back from its southern coast to the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is ready for both war and diplomacy, adding that Iran is still awaiting an official response to its proposal via mediators despite President Trump's public rejection.
Latest updates
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a strong warning, claiming in a statement that "the enemy" has been pushed back from southern Iranian coastal waters to the Arabian Sea and does not dare to advance further. The statement, released on the death anniversary of a former Hezbollah leader, added that the time is "fast approaching" when the Arabian Sea will be "cleared of their presence."
The remarks came as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Tehran is "fully prepared" for a resumption of war, "even if it leads to an apocalyptic war," but is also ready for diplomacy. "It now depends on President Trump what he chooses," Araghchi stated.
Regarding a proposal Iran made to the US, which President Trump publicly rejected, Araghchi said that while they heard the rejection, they are "still waiting for an official response through mediators."
Iranian state media on Monday reported that the country has no plans for new negotiations with the United States, directly contradicting recent statements by US President Donald Trump. The official IRNA news agency, citing an unnamed source close to Iran's delegation at the UN General Assembly, stated, "Iran’s delegation in New York... has no plans for negotiations with the United States."
The report follows comments from President Trump on Sunday in which he said he expected talks to resume soon. This was a day after he had rejected a proposal from Tehran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Responses
Latest Fact Checks
Iran has no plans to negotiate with US: state media
TEHRAN: State media in Iran on Monday reported that no new talks were planned with the United States, after US President Donald Trump told media he expected more negotiations. “Iran’s delegation in New York (for the UN General Assembly) has no plans
It’s a delicate balance for any leadership: projecting strength to a domestic audience while keeping diplomatic channels open. The real test is whether the quiet diplomacy can overcome the loud public rhetoric.
It’s a complex situation with mixed signals from all sides. The claim about capturing a drone through ‘electronic warfare’ is particularly interesting, but such claims are often hard to verify independently.
Dialogue is always a better path than conflict, especially for the stability of the entire Gulf region. Let’s hope these talks lead to a genuine de-escalation and not just more posturing.