Iran not seeking war, but to give ‘crushing’ response to any aggression
Iran’s deputy foreign minister says the Islamic Republic does not seek war with any country but will not hesitate to give a “rapid and crushing” response to any aggression.
Seyyed Abbas Araqchi made the remarks on Wednesday night in a meeting with Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, the chairman of the Indonesian Parliament’s First Commission, and his entourage in Tehran.
In the meeting, Araqchi said Iran’s reinforcement of its defensive capabilities is just for deterrence, and is not against any other country.
“In its contemporary history, Iran has never initiated any war, and will not do so in the future,” Araqchi said.
“However, it will not hesitate for a moment to defend itself, and will give a rapid and crushing response to any aggressor,” he added.
Araqchi’s comments come as tensions have escalated between Iran and the United States, which recently announced plans to form a coalition to supposedly protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from what it calls an Iranian threat.
The US has asked its allies, including Germany, Japan, France, Britain and Israel, to join the coalition. The call has, however, not been warmly received, with Israel and Britain becoming the only parties which have said flat out that they would join the alliance.
Read more:
Tensions between Iran and the US heightened after Washington withdrew last year from an international nuclear deal signed with Tehran in 2015.
Since then, the US has been tightening the screws on Tehran’s main source of income, aiming to cut Iran’s oil sales to zero, after President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic in November.
In his Wednesday comments, Araqchi referred to the cruel sanctions against the Iranian nation, and slammed them as “illegal” and “inhuman”.
However, he added, Iran is resolved to change them into an opportunity to transform its national economy.
Iran’s security chief in Russia to underline Israel’s aggression
President Raeisi: Nothing will remain of Israel in case of another mistake
'Regrettable': Iran slams EU sanctions, says bloc satisfying criminal Israeli regime
Iran’s security chief in Russia to underline Israel’s aggression
VIDEO | Smoke rises from Gaza as fighting continues
ICRC decries escalating Israeli raids across occupied West Bank
Israel still prevents food convoys from reaching north of Gaza: UNRWA
NYPD arrests multitude of pro-Palestine students at NYU campus
Iran’s decisive response to Israel disrupted enemy’s equations: Hamas
Iran releases details of confiscated Israeli transit cargo
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
