WANA (Jun 24) – Saeed Khatibzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran and head of the Foreign Ministry’s Center for Political and International Studies, stated on Tuesday that it was the United States that sent messages to Iran requesting a halt to hostilities. He insisted that Washington must compensate for the damage caused to Iran’s infrastructure during recent strikes.

 

In an interview, Khatibzadeh confirmed that Iran’s recent retaliatory strike targeted a base under direct U.S. control. He further revealed that Tehran will formally file a complaint with the United Nations over the damages inflicted.

 

Condemning the bombing of Iran’s scientific and technological facilities, he said, “Iran is a civilization that cannot be destroyed — a fact President Donald Trump must come to terms with.”

 

Iran Vows to Respond to Any Aggression

Referring to Israeli attacks, Khatibzadeh asserted that Iran remains determined to resist. “The Zionist regime received a heavy blow,” he declared, emphasizing that Tehran stood strong and firm in the face of Israeli aggression. He warned that settlers in Israel should realize they are paying the price for what he called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategic miscalculations.

 

He also cautioned that “any aggression against Iran will be met with a decisive response,” adding that the country is fully prepared to defend itself.

 

Khatibzadeh also pointed to what he described as Rafael Grossi’s regrettable role in laying the groundwork for the recent escalation, adding that he should be held accountable.

 

Attacks Undermined Diplomacy

The Iranian diplomat said the recent attacks were aimed directly at the core of diplomacy. “Iran has made it clear that it cannot trust a negotiator who was complicit in plotting against it,” he said.

 

“What failed through military aggression will not be achieved through diplomacy,” he added.

 

According to Khatibzadeh, today’s developments were a clear assertion of Iran’s national will. “This morning, the Zionist regime unilaterally announced it would stop its aggression, and the U.S., through various channels, sent messages to Iran. We replied that a decision will follow, but first, the aggression must end.”

 

He stressed that Israel has broken its promises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria over the past 18 months. “Iran remains fully alert and on standby. Any act of aggression, at any time and in any place, will be answered with full force.”

 

On the Ceasefire Talks

Asked about the terms of a ceasefire agreement, Khatibzadeh clarified: “In the exchanged messages, Iran made it clear that it cannot enter talks with the U.S. until the aggression ends and responsibility is acknowledged. We have no written agreement with the Zionist regime. What happened was their unilateral cessation of attacks, and in parallel, Iran — while remaining fully ready — has decided not to launch further strikes.”

A group of Iranians celebrate following Iran’s attack on U.S. military base in Qatar, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)