WANA (Mar 16) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Tehran has not asked for a ceasefire in the ongoing war and will continue what he described as a “proud resistance,” while emphasizing that the conflict must ultimately end in a way that prevents it from happening again.

 

Speaking at the final weekly press briefing of the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Araghchi said Iran had gone through “difficult but proud days.”

 

He described the past year as unprecedented in the history of the Islamic Republic, saying the country had already experienced one war and is now engaged in another. Araghchi said many people had been killed, including civilians, children, officials, and military commanders.

 

“For this reason it was a difficult year, but at the same time it was marked by pride, dignity, and honor,” he said.

 

According to Araghchi, Iran’s adversaries initially launched the conflict by demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” but after 12 days they themselves called for an unconditional ceasefire. He said the same scenario has now been repeated “with greater intensity and power,” with opponents mobilizing all their forces to try to force Iran into surrender.

 

Referring to recent developments, the Iranian foreign minister said that after the first day’s large-scale attacks and repeated calls for unconditional surrender, Iran’s opponents are now, about two weeks into the war, seeking help from other countries to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

“From our perspective, the Strait of Hormuz is open,” Araghchi said. “But it is closed to our enemies and to those who carried out an unjust aggression against our country and to their allies.”

 

He stressed that Iran will continue its resistance without hesitation.

 

Araghchi also said that during an interview with CBS News the previous night, he reiterated that Iran had not sent any messages requesting a ceasefire.

 

“We have not sent any message and we have not asked for a ceasefire,” he said. “But this war must end in a way that ensures it will not be repeated.”

 

He added that Iran’s rejection of a ceasefire does not mean the country seeks war, but rather that the conflict must conclude in a way that prevents future attacks.

 

“We believe our adversaries have already learned a good lesson and realized what kind of nation they are facing — a nation that has no hesitation in defending itself and is prepared to continue the war as far as necessary,” he said.

 

Araghchi also thanked journalists for their role during the conflict, describing the media as the “third pillar” alongside diplomacy and the battlefield.

 

“At the same time as the war is being fought on the battlefield and in diplomacy, there is also a war of narratives,” he said, adding that journalists play a key role in preventing what he called “false narratives” from being imposed on Iranian and international audiences.

 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani Baghaei also praised reporters for their cooperation with the ministry during the crisis and said he hoped they would meet again soon “to celebrate victory.”