Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Washington will bear full responsibility for any further escalation following the US-Israeli aggression on Iran, arguing that Tehran had signaled openness to de-escalation before the conflict intensified.

In a statement addressing the developments, Araghchi said that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had indicated willingness to lower tensions across the region under certain conditions.

“President Pezeshkian’s openness to de-escalation within our region, provided that our neighbors’ airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian People, was almost immediately killed by President Trump’s misinterpretation of our capabilities, determination, and intent,” Araghchi said.

The Iranian diplomat warned that Tehran’s armed forces are prepared for further confrontation if Washington continues on the same path.

President Pezeshkian expressed openness to de-escalation within our region-provided that our neighbors' airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian People. Gesture to our neighbors was almost immediately killed by President Trump.

My statement: pic.twitter.com/tnyCWTTqaj

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 7, 2026

“If Mr. Trump seeks escalation, it is precisely what our Powerful Armed Forces have long been prepared for, and what he will get,” he said, adding that responsibility for any expansion of the conflict would lie “squarely with the US Administration.”

The remarks come as military tensions continue to intensify across West Asia following the joint offensive launched by the United States and "Israel" against Iran on February 28. Since the start of hostilities, Iran has carried out retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli-occupied territories as well as US military installations across the region as part of Operation True Promise 4.

War’s Rising Cost

Araghchi also pointed to the growing costs of the war for the United States, claiming the campaign has already imposed a heavy financial and human toll.

“Mr. Trump’s week-long misadventure has already cost the US military $100 billion, in addition to the lives of young soldiers,” he said, warning that economic repercussions could soon affect ordinary Americans.

“When markets reopen, that cost will balloon and directly be transferred to ordinary Americans at pumping stations,” Araghchi added.

War Doomed Failure

The Iranian foreign minister also referred to internal US intelligence assessments, noting that the National Intelligence Council, which consolidates analysis from 18 American intelligence agencies, had reportedly concluded that a war with Iran would not succeed.

A classified assessment cited by  The Washington Post found that even a large-scale US military campaign would be unlikely to dismantle Iran’s entrenched political and security institutions. According to the report, analysts concluded that the country’s clerical and military structures are deeply established and capable of maintaining the governing system even under intense external military pressure.

The intelligence assessment also cast doubt on Washington’s objective of removing Iran’s leadership, suggesting that the country’s institutional mechanisms are designed to ensure continuity of power even under extraordinary circumstances.

He said he had previously warned US representatives that military escalation would not strengthen Washington’s negotiating position.

Araghchi further argued that the conflict contradicts the preferences of American voters, saying the US public had supported leaders promising to end prolonged wars in the Middle East.

Netanyahu Influence

Instead, he claimed the current administration had been drawn into confrontation under the influence of Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing the Israeli leader of pushing Washington toward a conflict that previous efforts had failed to initiate.

“This is a war of choice pursued by a small cabal of ‘Israel Firsters’, and ‘Israel First’ always means ‘America Last’,” Araghchi said.

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