RismadarVoice Reporters
September 27, 2026
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran is fully prepared for a resumption of hostilities with the United States while maintaining that diplomatic negotiations remain open as an alternative to further conflict.
Araghchi made the remarks on Sunday following US President Donald Trump’s public rejection of an Iranian proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
“We are fully prepared for the war to be resumed. We stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war,” Araghchi said in an interview with NBC News.
“At the same time, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose.”
Iran had reportedly proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days as part of a broader roadmap aimed at ending hostilities between the two sides.
The proposal was conveyed to Washington through Qatar during diplomatic engagements surrounding the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected the proposal, telling reporters that Tehran wanted the strait reopened because it was “losing so badly.”
Araghchi, however, said Iran had yet to receive an official response through the intermediaries handling communications between Tehran and Washington despite Trump’s public remarks.
The Iranian foreign minister reiterated Tehran’s willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of an agreement to end the conflict but said Iran expected concessions from Washington in return.
Among Tehran’s demands are the release of frozen Iranian assets and the restoration of its ability to export oil without US sanctions restrictions.
“We want our monies, our assets, which are illegally frozen, to be released. We want to be able to sell our oil,” Araghchi said.
He said the issues had previously formed part of discussions between Iran and the United States, referring to a memorandum of understanding reached in June during efforts to establish a temporary ceasefire.
That understanding subsequently collapsed following renewed exchanges of strikes between the two sides.
Araghchi acknowledged that developments following previous negotiations had given Iran reasons to question further diplomatic engagement with Washington.
He nevertheless said Tehran would continue exploring negotiations because of the importance of pursuing opportunities for a peaceful settlement.
“If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy. But I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn’t miss any chance for peace,” he said.
Araghchi also rejected suggestions that Tehran was delaying decisions because of the forthcoming US midterm elections, saying Iran would determine its position based on its national interests.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Washington rejected the Iranian proposal for several reasons, including Tehran’s demand for access to frozen Iranian funds.
Waltz described the conditions proposed by Iran as unacceptable and raised questions about Tehran’s previous commitments under the June understanding.
He said the Trump administration would continue to keep its options open in dealing with Iran, citing concerns surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional security.
Trump had earlier said Washington was considering either reaching an agreement with Iran or pursuing further military action.
The latest statements from Washington and Tehran underscore the continuing differences between the two countries, even as diplomatic contacts remain active through intermediaries.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations because of its importance to global energy shipments and international maritime trade.
