Iran has not requested a ceasefire, will fight as long as necessary: Araghchi 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Islamic Republic has not requested a ceasefire, nor has it sought negotiations for a cessation of hostilities amid the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against the country.

Araghchi made the remarks during an interview with CBS News on Sunday, stressing that the Iranian armed forces will continue to defend the country as long as necessary.

The foreign minister further noted that Iran only targets US assets and bases in the region as part of its retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, noting that many attacks against Iran have been launched from territories of Persian Gulf states. 
Araghchi further clarified that Iran has not fully blocked the Strait of Hormuz, rather the US attacks against the Islamic Republic have made the region insecure for ships to pass through the strategic waterway.

He also said a few countries have demanded Iran to provide a safe passage for their ships, adding that the decision was the Iranian military forces to make.

The US and Israeli regime launched a surprise assault on Iran on February 28, assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders even as Tehran was in the midst of nuclear negotiations with Washington and both sides were indicating progress had been made in the talks.

“Those who gave false consultations to US President Donald Trump at a time when negotiations for reaching a fair deal was ongoing are responsible for the bloodshed today,” Araghchi said. “This is a war imposed on both Iranians and Americans,” he added.

In response to the aggression, the Iranian armed forces have been launching reprisal drone and missile attacks against strategic American and Israeli assets throughout the region.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply normally passes, has effectively been shut down since the US-Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28.

Hundreds of ships have reportedly remained anchored nearby, while global shipping companies and oil exporters have paused operations due to security concerns.

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