Iran ‘ready’ for US ground invasion: Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has declared that his nation is prepared to confront any potential ground invasion by American forces, as the conflict initiated by the US and Israel escalates across the region. In an exclusive interview, he also firmly ruled out any future negotiations with Washington and stated that Tehran has not sought a ceasefire.

Araghchi spoke with Tom Llamas, anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” during a video interview from the Iranian capital. His remarks come amid sustained US and Israeli airstrikes on the country, which began on Saturday and have significantly degraded Iran’s military defences and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

When asked about the prospect of a US ground offensive, Araghchi adopted a resolute stance. “No, we are waiting for them,” he stated. “Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them.”

The Foreign Minister also clarified that Iran has not requested an end to the hostilities, despite the intensity of the aerial bombardment. He pointed to a previous conflict last June, when Israeli and US forces targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, as an example. “We didn’t ask for a ceasefire even last time. In previous time, it was Israel who asked for a ceasefire. They asked for an unconditional ceasefire after 12 days that we resisted against their aggression,” Araghchi explained.

The interview also touched upon a tragic incident in Minab, where an attack on an elementary school killed dozens of children. While the US military has stated it is investigating the matter and suggested an errant Iranian munition could be responsible, Araghchi placed the blame squarely on the US and Israel. “This is what our military said. So it is either U.S. or Israel. What is the, what is the difference?” he asked, noting that 171 children had perished.

Araghchi revealed that just last week, he had been engaged in negotiations with US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Geneva. However, he stated that the subsequent attack, which occurred while those talks were ongoing, has permanently damaged trust and ended any prospect of further dialogue. “The fact is that we don’t have any positive experience of negotiating with the United States. You know, especially with this administration. We negotiated twice last year and this year, and then in the middle of negotiations, they attacked us,” he said. “So we see no reason why we should engage once again with those who have, who are not honest in negotiation, and they don’t and do not enter into negotiation in good faith.”

Offering a bleak assessment of the conflict’s trajectory, Araghchi remarked, “There is no winner in this war. Our win is to be able to resist against, you know, the illegal, you know, goals, and this is what we have done so far.”

‘No one can interfere regarding the decision of Supreme Leader’

Regarding the succession of the late Supreme Leader, Araghchi addressed speculation that Ayatollah Khamenei’s second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, might be chosen. He acknowledged that such a dynastic transfer would be sensitive in a nation founded on the overthrow of a monarchy in 1979. However, he stressed that the process would follow the constitutional framework, with the 88-seat Assembly of Experts tasked with selecting a new leader, a process that may be delayed due to the ongoing war. “There are many rumors around, but you know, we have to wait for the Assembly of Experts to choose a new supreme leader,” he stated. “There are, as I said, there are many rumors, but nobody knows exactly who might be elected at the end of the day.”

Finally, Araghchi dismissed a report from Axios suggesting that President Trump sought a role in the selection of Iran’s next leader. “That is absolutely the business of Iranian people, and nobody can interfere,” he asserted.