Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did not rule out a future confrontation with Israel, stating that "anything is possible, and Tehran is prepared for all circumstances," during an interview with Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat on Tuesday.
Araghchi spoke to the outlet in Jeddah following a meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip.
During the interview, he asserted that Israel and Iran "did not achieve any of their goals" during the 12-day war in June.
"We continued our missile strikes on Israel until the last moment, while they thought they could stop us within 48 hours," he claimed.
"After 12 days, it was Israel that requested an unconditional ceasefire, and since their request came without conditions, we accepted it."
Araghchi says that Iran is ready for a stronger response against Israel
He warned that if Israel repeats its attacks on Iran, then Iran is ready for another war, and Israel will face a stronger response.
Iran resisted attempts of "the enemies" to target Iran, not through diplomacy or dialogue, but through missiles, he added.
"Those who confront Israel must be strong, not complacent," he said, advising countries not to make concessions towards Israel. He claimed that any concessions boost the bold statements of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Araghchi also claimed that Israel attempted to drag all of the Middle East into an "oil war" because the IDF struck Iranian oil facilities during Operation Rising Lion.
"We made every effort to prevent the war from spreading to the Gulf," he said. "Countries bordering the Gulf should focus their attention on Israeli policies that could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and drag the war into the region, not focus their attention on Iran."
These countries include Abraham Accords signatories, the UAE and Bahrain, as well as Oman and Qatar.
Iran targeted Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base at the end of the war.
Araghchi called on countries that maintain relations with Israel to cut relations and cease trade, referring to this as a "practical step" to support Gaza.
"Gaza residents do not need our statements and decisions as much as they need practical support on the ground. They need food, water, and medicine first and foremost, and then peace, justice, and the end of occupation."
Nuclear negotiations between Iran-US
Araghchi claimed that Iran is ready to resume nuclear negotiations with the US, but insisted that there are "guarantees against aggression."
He told Asharq al-Awsat that Iran "never left the negotiating table," stating that Tehran had been undertaking negotiations before Operation Rising Lion.
Araghchi also denounced military strikes on nuclear facilities, claiming that they failed to achieve anything that would not be achieved in future negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
The US must come to the negotiating table with the intention for "fair and just negotiations that are based on mutual interests," he added. Araghchi warned that due to Israel and the US conducting widespread airstrikes on Iran in June, any new negotiations "will not be like the previous ones."
Does Iran interfere in Lebanese domestic affairs?
The Iranian foreign minister claimed that Iran does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, but that it merely expresses its views and opinions, as other countries also do.
He also commented on the plans to disarm Lebanon-based Iran-backed Hezbollah, stating that the plans shared by the Lebanese government are "100% Israeli."
"Israel wants all countries in the region to be weak, disarmed, fragmented, and fighting each other," he said.
Denouncing Israeli military activity in Syria
Araghchi then condemned Israeli attacks in Syria, referring to them as "the result of excessive concessions to the Zionist entity."
IDF raids and airstrikes have continued to occur since Bashar al-Assad's Iranian-supported government fell in December.
"We see that Israel has occupied more Syrian land, bombed all military capabilities of the new government, and this is what Israel seeks to implement in Lebanon. The resistance [Hezbollah]'s weapons are preventing it," he said.
He also affirmed that he rejects any attempts to divide Syria into different countries.
Iran-Saudi relations
Araghchi commented on relations between Tehran and Riyadh, claiming that they are entering "an unprecedented phase of cooperation."
Araghchi praised Riyadh's position against Israel during the Israel-Iran war as "excellent and strong," adding that the position, which was adopted by the whole Gulf Cooperation Council, was "very valuable for us."
He also referred to Saudi Arabia and Iran as the "two important poles" of the Islamic world in the Middle East.
Iran is ready to cooperate with Saudi Arabia on Lebanese issues, Araghchi confirmed, adding that he had a productive discussion on the issue with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
"I have no doubt that Saudi Arabia wants to help the Lebanese people, and we do as well, but the tools and means may be different. However, I am hopeful that we will reach a common point between us," he said.