Iran: Tehran’s Priority Is Not Negotiations but War

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, affirmed that Iran’s missile capabilities do not extend to U.S. territory, but are capable of striking American military bases deployed across the Middle East. He stressed that Iran would respond forcefully to any U.S. attack, regardless of how limited it might be.

In press statements, Gharibabadi explained that Tehran’s current priority is not to enter negotiations with Washington, but to raise military readiness to its highest possible level, emphasizing that sitting at the negotiating table would not diminish Iran’s preparedness for any potential confrontation.

The Iranian official noted that channels for exchanging messages between the two sides remain open, but denied the existence of any direct negotiations at present, amid escalating tensions with the United States.

These remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an additional naval fleet was heading toward Iran, while expressing hope for reaching an agreement with Tehran during a public address delivered in the state of Iowa.