TEHRAN –Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi repeated a stance expressed by several Iranian officials in recent days, telling Al Jazeera Arabic that his country is ready to enter war against the United States if the latter is willing to “test” another aggression against Iran. 

The U.S. and Israel initiated a bombing campaign against Iran on June 13, 2025, while Tehran and Washington were still engaged in nuclear negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump stated his goal was to “obliterate” Iran’s nuclear program, a goal he maintains was achieved. However, Western analysts and experts contend that the attacks only managed to delay Iran’s activities by one or two years at best. Iranian analysts believe the primary objective was to topple the Islamic Republic, citing the two regimes’ assassination of Iranian military generals in the early hours of war and their unsuccessful attempts to assassinate the country’s top political officials, including the president and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

The U.S. and Israel requested a ceasefire twelve days after beginning the war, as the escalating tolls of Iranian missile attacks on the occupied territories, as well as a U.S. base in Qatar, became intolerable. Iran is believed to have rapidly filled its own military gaps since the conflict halted.

“If Washington wants to test the military option it has tested before, we are ready for it,” said Araghchi, adding that he hoped the U.S. would choose “the wise option” of dialogue, while warning of “those trying to drag Washington into war in order to serve Israel’s interests”.

Trump has voiced support for rioters who derailed initially peaceful protests in Iran over the weekend, stating he would even consider military aggression against Iran to assist them. Terrorists and rioters killed numerous security forces and civilians on Thursday and Friday, and devastated Iranian cities by setting ablaze public and private property. Iranian intelligence forces have revealed that many of the terrorists and ringleaders arrested in recent days were employed by foreign spy agencies, including Mossad and the CIA. Western media, as well as Al Jazeera itself, have failed to distinguish between the bazaaries that initiated the demonstrations over economic woes resulting from years of U.S. sanctions and the armed individuals who have perpetrated unprecedented violence and destruction.

During his interview, Araghchi said channels of communication with the U.S. were open amid the ongoing unrest but stressed that his country was “prepared for all options”, noting that Iran now has “large and extensive military preparedness” compared to last year’s 12-day war. He also revealed he maintains contact with Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, adding that certain ideas discussed with Washington were being studied in Tehran.

Iranians have said they would not hesitate to take pre-emptive measures against the U.S. and Israel if they notice signs of incoming aggression. Some officials have suggested Iran will try to kill American soldiers and close the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a new confrontation.

On Monday, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said the country has prepared “surprises” for the enemy, and the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces emphasized Tehran will not retreat by “even the slightest degree from defending its independence, territorial integrity, and national interests.”