Iran Rejects Ceasefire, Vows to Continue Fight Against US and Israel

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has firmly rejected international calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, stating that his country must "continue the fight" for its people and national security. He made these remarks in an interview with NBC News on Sunday, March 8.

Araqchi accused the United States and Israel of killing Iranian citizens, including students, and attacking hospitals. "And now you want to ask for a ceasefire again? That's not how it works," he stated emphatically.

The minister argued that Israel and the U.S. Had already violated a previous ceasefire agreement that ended last year's 12-day war. He insisted that what is needed is a "final and permanent end to the war." Until that happens, Iran sees no alternative but to keep fighting.

Araqchi also addressed Iran's military actions, confirming strikes on American bases, facilities, and assets located in neighboring countries. He clarified that these attacks target American interests specifically and are not intended against the host nations themselves.

He noted that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologized to residents of the region for the "inconveniences they faced due to this aggression by America and our retaliatory strike."

The foreign minister issued a stark warning regarding any potential U.S. Ground invasion. "If the United States sends ground troops into Iran," Araqchi said, "we have very brave soldiers who are waiting for any enemy entering our land to fight them, kill them, and destroy them."

This stance follows earlier communications from President Pezeshkian to regional leaders, in which he asserted that Iran had sought to prevent war through diplomacy but was left with no choice but self-defense due to military aggression from the U.S. And Israel.