Iran After Permanent End to War, Will Soon Celebrate Victory: Araghchi

Monday, 16 March 2026 1:48 PM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran seeks a permanent cessation of the US-Israeli war on its soil, saying the unprovoked aggression should end in a way that would prevent enemies from ever repeating such atrocities.

“We have not sent [the adversaries] any messages, and have not asked for a ceasefire, but this war should end in a way that would not repeat itself in another form,” the top diplomat told reporters on Monday.

Araghchi noted that how he had uttered the same comments to CBSNEWS earlier, adding, “My saying that we do not want a ceasefire is not due to our being after war [either]. The actual reason is rather that this war should end in a way that the thought of repeating these attacks and aggression would not occur to the enemies again.”

Late last month, the United States and the Israeli regime began their latest bout of unprovoked aggression against Iran, prompting the Islamic Republic to immediately launch scores of waves of decisive retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets.

Araghchi noted how the enemies were pursuing Iran’s “unconditional surrender” during the previous round of their unlawful aggression towards the country last June before pleading with the Islamic Republic for a ceasefire.

He lamented the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Aytollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei during the early stages of the aggression, saying the Leader’s ascension to martyrdom served as a “medal of honor” across his lifelong endeavor.

The foreign minister also noted the martyrdom of numerous senior Iranian officials and ordinary citizens, including children, throughout the aggression.

He described the period that had lapsed since the onset of the fresh aggression as “difficult,” but described the country’s steadfast resistance, defense, and retaliation as a source of pride.”

Addressing the Islamic Republic’s closure of the strategic Hormuz Strait, an indispensable conduit for global energy consignments, he said the waterway remains open except to Iran’s enemies and those who have resorted to “cowardly aggression” against the nation and their allies.

“So far,” he said, “The enemies have learnt a good lesson and found out with which nation they are dealing with, a nation that does not hesitate to defend itself, and is prepared to continue the war as long as it takes.”

Araghchi noted he had made the same comments to CBS News earlier, adding, “My saying that we do not want a ceasefire is not due to our being after war. The actual reason is rather that this war should end in a way that the thought of repeating these attacks and aggression would not occur to the enemies again.”