Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s top diplomat, arrived in Beirut with a clear red line for adversaries: no war desired, but full retaliation assured against repeat U.S.-Israel strikes.
In remarks to media on Thursday, he signaled readiness for nuclear program talks with America, insisting on a respectful, interest-aligned approach over coercive tactics. Shadows of June’s 12-day Israel-Iran fury loom large, amplified by U.S. hits on vital nuclear assets.
Kicking off a two-day Lebanese engagement, Araghchi labeled past assaults a ‘resounding flop.’ ‘Replicate them, and reap the whirlwind,’ he cautioned.
‘We shun conflict yet embrace readiness,’ he stated firmly. On diplomacy: ‘Americans must embrace positive negotiation over dominance for fruitful outcomes.’
Domestically, Iran boils over. Protests against skyrocketing costs and rights curbs persist into week two, marred by lethal force. Trump’s Truth Social threat of intervention to save lives was slammed by Tehran as intrusive fiction.
Araghchi’s mission in Beirut spotlights Iran’s regional maneuvering. His blend of olive branch and iron fist could redefine flashpoints, urging global attention to the high-stakes U.S.-Iran dynamic amid Middle East unrest.