Tehran says it is ‘prepared for war’

Iran does not want a war but is more ready for one than it was during last year’s brief conflict with Israel, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, as tensions with the United States and Israel continue to rise.

Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi said Iran’s military preparedness has increased since the 12-day confrontation, declaring: “We do not seek war, but we are prepared for war, and we are even more prepared than the previous twelve-day war.”

His comments follow repeated warnings from US President Donald Trump, who has suggested military action in response to Iran’s crackdown on violent unrest that has swept parts of the country in recent weeks. Tehran has blamed the turmoil on foreign interference, accusing Washington and Israel of playing a central role.

Araghchi said Iran remains open to diplomacy, but only on its own terms. “We are also prepared for negotiations,” he said, stressing that any talks must be “fair, honourable, and from an equal position,” and based on mutual respect rather than “orders and dictations.”

The unrest began in late December amid protests over the sharp fall in the Iranian rial and rising living costs under sanctions, before spreading nationwide and escalating into the most serious internal crisis in years. Iranian authorities say armed groups infiltrated demonstrations, setting fire to mosques, medical and government buildings and killing civilians and security personnel in what officials described as “ISIS-like” violence.

Araghchi claimed Iran has evidence that the US and Israel had a “big hand” in fomenting the unrest, including recorded audio allegedly capturing instructions given to armed operatives in crowds to open fire on protesters, bystanders and security forces.

Relations between Tehran, Washington and Israel have remained strained since last summer, when the US joined Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump has argued the attacks were intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, an allegation Iran has repeatedly denied. Over the weekend, the US president said his administration was weighing “very strong options” against Iran, while also acknowledging that Tehran had signalled an interest in negotiations.