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Iranwire – On Thursday, Iran’s foreign minister made it clear that even after six days of fighting with the United States and Israel, the Islamic Republic is not pursuing a ceasefire.
Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with NBC News, stated: “There has been no request for a ceasefire from our side, and there is no request from our side to negotiate with the United States.”
He also denied sending any messages to Washington.
Abbas Araghchi is an experienced diplomat who played a central role in negotiating the 2015 Nuclear Deal (JCPOA). That makes his current “hardline” tone particularly notable, as he has long been viewed as a pragmatist. By firmly rejecting the idea of any back-channel contacts, he appears to be signaling that Iran’s leadership – now functioning under emergency military conditions – sees any move toward negotiations at this moment as a potential sign of weakness.
In the interview, Araghchi clarified that Iran has “no intention of closing the Strait of Hormuz,” but said that as the war continues, it may consider all options.
This comes even though, in recent days, Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) officials and media outlets close to the Islamic Republic have claimed that Tehran has already closed this strategic strait.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the most critical oil transit chokepoint in the world, with nearly 20% of global petroleum supplies moving through its waters. The apparent disconnect between Araghchi – the diplomat – and the IRGC – the military – could signal a familiar “good cop, bad cop” strategy often associated with Tehran, or it may point to a real divide between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the commanders directing operations on the ground.
When asked whether “China and Russia” are assisting Iran in the war, he responded: “They have always helped us, but in the middle of a war, I do not want to give details.”
When asked by the host if Iran is concerned about a U.S. ground invasion, he said, “No, we are waiting for them.”
