SAEDNEWS: Iran will not start a preemptive military action, while it is totally prepared to fight a war and at the same time is ready to hold talks on equal footing, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said.
According to SAEDNEWS, In a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran on Monday, Araqchi outlined Iran’s policies on the recent developments, especially the riots that unfolded across the country last week.
The foreign minister pointed the finger at the US and the Israeli regime for interference in the internal affairs of Iran and for transforming the peaceful protests into deadly riots.
Dismissing the American and Israeli rhetoric of military action against Iran, Araqchi said, “Iran is prepared for war. A preemptive war is not on our agenda, though we are ready to fight a war.”
The Iranian foreign minister described combat preparedness as the best way to prevent a war in order to avert the enemies’ miscalculation.
“We are also prepared for negotiations, but (only) negotiations that are on equal standing, fair and serious, not based on orders and dictation,” Araqchi added.
The foreign minister explained that riots, orchestrated by outsiders, hijacked the peaceful protests in Iran with the purpose of fomenting violence and killing security forces and ordinary people.
He said while armed terrorists stepped in to shed blood amid the riots and create chaos at the national level, US President Donald Trump interfered blatantly and threatened that Washington would take action if people are killed in Iran.
Araqchi explained that Trump’s interfering comments prompted the elements of riot to push for an increase in casualties. He said Iran has obtained evidence showing that the terrorist elements have been ordered to hit both the police forces and ordinary citizens.
Many victims in the riots have been shot from behind, while the terrorists also decapitated a number of law enforcement forces like Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorists and burned some others alive, the foreign minister added.
He said the arrestees have confessed to have been paid to launch arson attacks on mosques, government buildings, ambulances and public properties, and kill the injured.
Iran has clear evidence of US and Israeli involvement in the terrorist measures in Iran, Araqchi said.
He then denounced the Western countries’ double standards, which have condemned the Iranian Police’ activities but have turned a blind eye to the genocide in Gaza.
The Westerners have refused to condemn the Israeli military aggression against Iran in June 2025, but are shedding crocodile tears for terrorists in Iran, he said.
The Islamic Republic recognizes the legitimate right to protests, but no country would tolerate riots, arson attacks, acts of vandalism and terrorism, Araqchi told the foreign ambassadors, adding that over 70 percent of Iranian people have attributed the riots to foreign interference while 80 percent of Iranians have rejected riots.
He finally cautioned certain parties to avoid the same miscalculation they had made during the 12-day war.
