Araghchi: 'Israel's' pursuit of ceasefire proof of defeat in war
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Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi hails the ceasefire as a victory of resistance and principle, asserting Iran's strength, missile precision, and unwavering commitment to national sovereignty.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Wednesday that "Israel’s" acceptance of a US-brokered ceasefire following nearly two weeks of fighting marks a strategic failure for the occupation and a turning point in the regional balance of power.
In remarks to Tasnim News Agency, Araghchi described the ceasefire, initiated by Washington, as the clearest admission yet that "Israel" was unable to sustain its military confrontation with Iran. He argued that the intervention by the United States came only after Tel Aviv’s battlefield setbacks and mounting internal pressure.
“The US engagement in the war was a sign of the Zionist regime's defeat and its inability to continue the conflict,” Araghchi stated. He emphasized that the US had falsely assumed that its direct intervention would compel Tehran to back down, but instead, the Iranian response escalated dramatically.
“When they saw that our response using the third generation of Kheibar-Shekan missiles was much stronger and more decisive than they had imagined, they backtracked on continuing the war and proposed a ceasefire through mediators,” he said.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran's agreement to the truce should not be interpreted as a concession, but as a calculated decision grounded in ethical and strategic reasoning.
“Iran's acceptance of the ceasefire was to maintain moral and value superiority,” he explained, framing the move as part of a broader diplomatic approach rooted in regional and Islamic values.
Warning of future retaliation if truce collapses
Asked about the possibility of renewed aggression from "Israel" or the United States, Araghchi warned that Iran remains fully prepared to respond with even greater force.
“We manifested very strong resistance... Rather than collapsing under pressure, Iran’s firepower increased every day and its will became stronger,” he stressed. “The accuracy of our missiles increased, and recent developments proved that Iran is still strong.”
He also praised the steadfastness of the Iranian people, describing their unity with the government as a defining factor in the country’s resilience.
“The Iranian people saw the sincerity of their government. It stood firm in the negotiating field and did not give up on the rights of the nation, and it also stood strong on the battlefield,” he added.
Honoring sacrifices and reaffirming nuclear commitments
Reflecting on the toll of the war, Araghchi honored those who were martyred and injured, stating, “Despite the challenges of war, sufferings, martyrs, injuries, and fears, I am confident that the Iranian nation and government will stand firm until the end in defending the integrity, sovereignty, independence, and interests of the country and its achievements.”
He also dismissed speculation that the recent aggression might temper Iran’s pursuit of its nuclear program, stating unequivocally that the opposite was true.
“On the contrary, its effect will be positive and will strengthen our will,” he stressed.
Furthermore, Araghchi underscored that Iran’s nuclear path was forged through sacrifice and hardship: “Our scientists have sacrificed their lives for it. Our nation has endured sanctions for it, and even a war has been imposed on us over this issue. Therefore, no one in Iran is willing to give up this technology.”
He reaffirmed that the program remains peaceful and under IAEA supervision. “Iran's nuclear program has been transparent and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he stated.
Iran to hold funerals for commanders, scientists killed by 'Israel'
Iran will hold official state funerals this Saturday for a number of senior military commanders and leading scientists who were killed during the recent 12-day war with "Israel," according to state media.
“The national funeral ceremony for... commanders and scientists martyred in the Zionist regime's aggression will be held on Saturday from 8:00 am (0430 GMT) in Tehran,” the state-run IRNA news agency announced Wednesday. The announcement comes just one day after a ceasefire agreement went into effect.
The planned ceremony underscores the scale of losses suffered by Iran during the war, which included not only military personnel but also key figures from the country’s scientific and strategic sectors.
IRNA also reported that Major General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who was killed on the war’s opening day, will be laid to rest on Thursday in his hometown in central Iran.
The funeral ceremonies are expected to draw large crowds and high-ranking officials, underscoring the profound national significance of the martyrdom for both Iran’s leadership and its people.
