Iran's foreign minister says any aggression will meet a heavier counterstrike
In short
Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi told envoys accredited to Iran on Oct 4 local time that Iran is ready to seek a just solution through diplomacy and is also prepared to deliver a heavier counterstrike if military aggression happens again. He said continuing the illegal war against Iran can be ended neither by military means nor by a new round of sanctions. The only way out, he said, is negotiation based on dignity, justice and fairness.
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Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi said on Oct 4 local time that Iran's position rests on both pursuing “dignified diplomacy” and “firmly defending national security”, telling envoys accredited to Iran that any renewed military aggression would meet a heavier counterstrike. Chinese business outlets Yicai, CLS and Jiemian carried the same account of the remarks, with Yicai and Jiemian citing CCTV News. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Araghchi described the message sent to Iran's enemies as twofold: Iran is fully prepared to seek a just solution through diplomatic channels, and is also prepared to carry out a heavier counterattack should military aggression occur again. He said continuing the illegal war against Iran could be ended neither by military means nor by a new round of sanctions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The only way to end the conflict, Araghchi said, is negotiation based on the principles of dignity, justice and fairness. The documents do not identify the military action or the war being referred to, nor the counterparties involved, and give no venue or time beyond the date for the meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set out Iran's terms as it faces what it calls an illegal war: openness to talks alongside a warning of a stronger response. Chinese business outlets carried the statement as news, alongside the oil and trade exposure that a wider conflict would carry. The documents give no details on what prompted the statement or on what happens next.
Key facts
- Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi made the remarks on Oct 4 local time while meeting foreign envoys accredited to Iran. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said Iran's position rests on both pursuing “dignified diplomacy” and “firmly defending national security”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said any renewed military aggression would meet a “heavier counterstrike” from Iran. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said the illegal war against Iran can be ended neither by military means nor by a new round of sanctions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said the only way to end the conflict is negotiation based on dignity, justice and fairness. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yicai and Jiemian attributed the remarks to CCTV News. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Araghchi said Iran is fully prepared to seek a just solution through diplomacy and equally prepared to carry out a heavier counterattack if military aggression against Iran happens again. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Araghchi said continuing the illegal war against Iran can be resolved neither by military means nor by a new round of sanctions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Araghchi said the only way to end the conflict is negotiation based on the principles of dignity, justice and fairness. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The remarks were made at a meeting with foreign envoys accredited to Iran on Oct 4 local time. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Which military action or war the remarks respond to is not specified. The documents refer to an “illegal war” against Iran and to possible renewed military aggression but do not identify the parties or events involved.
- The exact time and place of the meeting are not given. The documents say only “Oct 4 local time” and that the meeting was with envoys accredited to Iran; no city or venue is named.
- Whether the statement marks a new escalation or a response to a specific incident is not stated. All three documents carry the same text, two of them credited to CCTV News, and add no independent detail.