Iran Rejects Ceasefire Calls, 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 its 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 attacking the Iranian populace. "They are killing our people, they are killing female students, you know, they attack hospitals," he said. In light of these actions, he dismissed renewed appeals for a truce. "And now you want to ask for a ceasefire again? That's not how it works," the minister added.

The foreign minister argued that Israel and the US had already violated a previous ceasefire agreement that ended last year's 12-day war. He emphasized that what is needed is a "final and permanent end to the war." Until that is achieved, Araqchi stated, "I think we need to continue the fight for our people and our security."

Addressing Iran's military actions, Araqchi explained that strikes are targeted at American bases, objects, and assets located in neighboring countries, not at the neighbors themselves. He noted that President Masoud Pezeshkian had apologized to residents of the region for the "inconvenience they faced due to this aggression from America and our counter-strike."

Araqchi issued a stark warning regarding any potential US ground invasion. Should American troops enter Iran, he declared, "we have very brave soldiers who are waiting for any enemy who enters 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 sought to prevent war through diplomacy but was left with no choice but to defend itself against US and Israeli military aggression.