Iran vows self-defense but seeks diplomacy with United States

Iran VS US – (Web DesK) – Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said on Sunday that Iran would respond strongly if the United States launches any attack, including targeting American interests in the Middle East. However, he also expressed hope that the ongoing tensions could still be resolved through diplomacy.

In an interview with CBS, Araghchi said he expects new discussions to take place, likely on Thursday, possibly in Geneva. His comments come as concerns grow over a possible conflict following Washington’s recent deployment of more military ships, aircraft, and defense systems to the region.

He stressed that Iran has the right to defend itself if attacked. At the same time, he said there remains a “good chance” to reach a peaceful agreement. Iran is also preparing a draft proposal aimed at preventing military confrontation and speeding up a deal.

Earlier, Axios reported that US officials are willing to resume detailed negotiations soon if Iran presents its proposal quickly.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high. The US has increased its military presence, and senior officials have questioned Iran’s refusal to accept American demands. Donald Trump’s Middle East negotiator, Steve Witkoff, said in a recent interview that Washington is surprised Iran has not backed down despite heavy pressure.

Western countries remain concerned that Iran’s nuclear programme could be used to develop weapons, although Iran has repeatedly denied this. Tehran insists its uranium enrichment is only for peaceful and civilian purposes and says it has the sovereign right to make its own decisions.

At the same time, internal tensions continue in Iran, with both pro-government and anti-government student protests taking place, highlighting growing political divisions within the country.

A previous round of diplomacy last year was interrupted by Israel’s bombing campaign against the Islamic republic.

That sparked a 12-day conflict in June that the US briefly joined with strikes on nuclear facilities.

Despite the recent Oman-mediated talks, Iranians’ fears of a new conflict have grown.

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“I don’t sleep well at night even while taking pills,” Tehran resident Hamid told AFP, saying he worried for his “family’s health… my kids and grandchildren”.

IT technician Mina Ahmadvand, 46, believes that “at this stage, war between Iran and the US as well as Israel is inevitable and I’ve prepared myself for that eventuality”.

“I don’t want war to happen, but one should not fool around with the realities on the ground.”

The concerns have prompted several foreign countries to urge their citizens to leave Iran, including Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia, which warned “commercial flights are currently available but this could change quickly”.

Iran has previously said that quickly striking a deal is in its interests if means relief from sanctions that have hamstrung its economy, which contributed to protests late last year over the high cost of living.

Those demonstrations quickly expanded into mass anti-government protests that marked one of the largest challenges to the Islamic Republic’s leadership in years, prompting a deadly crackdown by authorities that saw thousands killed, according to rights groups.

On Sunday, Iranian students gathered for fresh pro- and anti-government rallies commemorating those killed following similar gatherings the day before.

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Local and diaspora media outlets reported demonstrations at multiple Tehran universities, with some participants waving the flag of Iran’s deposed monarchy, and others chanting “death to the shah”, who was toppled by the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Trump had initially cheered on the protesters, threatening to intervene on their behalf amid the crackdown, but his threats soon shifted to Iran’s nuclear programme.