Tehran says Washington risks intensifying regional conflict following statements by President Donald Trump.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned that the United States would bear responsibility for any escalation involving Iran, accusing President Donald Trump of misinterpreting Tehran’s intentions amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Araghchi delivered the warning in a statement posted on X, where he said comments by the U.S. president had undermined signals from Iran indicating openness to regional de-escalation.
According to Araghchi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had indicated that Tehran was willing to pursue a reduction in tensions if neighboring countries ensured their territory was not used for attacks against Iran.
“President Pezeshkian’s openness to de-escalation within our region — provided that our neighbors’ airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian people — was almost immediately killed by President Trump’s misinterpretation of our capabilities, determination and intent,” Araghchi said.
The Iranian diplomat warned that Iran’s military forces were prepared to respond if the situation intensified.
“If Mr. Trump seeks escalation, it is precisely what our powerful armed forces have long been prepared for, and what he will get,” Araghchi said.
He added that any expansion of Iranian military action would be in response to U.S. decisions.
“Responsibility for the intensification of Iran’s exercise of its inherent right of self-defense will lie squarely with the U.S. administration,” he said.
Araghchi also criticized the financial cost of U.S. military involvement in the region, asserting that recent operations had already imposed significant expenses.
He said Trump’s “week-long misadventure” had cost the U.S. military $100 billion, in addition to the lives of American personnel.
“When markets reopen, that cost will balloon and be transferred directly to ordinary Americans at pumping stations,” Araghchi said.
The foreign minister further argued that American intelligence agencies had previously assessed that a war with Iran would not succeed.
“Mr. Trump’s own National Intelligence Council, representing input from the 18 intelligence agencies of the U.S., determined that war on Iran is destined to fail,” Araghchi said.
He said Iranian officials had previously warned U.S. envoys that military action would not improve Washington’s negotiating position, and questioned whether those warnings had been relayed to Trump.
Araghchi also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of influencing U.S. policy toward confrontation with Iran.
He said American voters had sought to avoid prolonged military involvement in the Middle East but were instead drawn into conflict connected to Israeli policy.
“This is a war of choice pursued by a small cabal of ‘Israel Firsters,’ and ‘Israel First’ always means ‘America Last,’” Araghchi said.
The remarks come as tensions remain high across the Middle East amid the possibility of wider regional conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.