TEHRAN – In a detailed interview on Sunday about the recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut highlighted the decision that it stemmed from Iran’s suspension and strategic calculations, arising from power, unity and strategic calculations.
Looking back at the events that began with the Israeli attack on June 13, Aragut said Iranian troops and government were prepared for any scenario. “Negotiations are a strategic choice,” he said, “it was taken when the world proved its resilience and deterrence at the global stage.”
Araguchi made it clear that the decision to accept the suspension was made under the direction of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. He revealed that the armistice was not a product of external pressure, but a calculated state decision that was triggered only after the “enemy” asked the Zionist regime.
“This was not a false judgment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Araguchi emphasized. “This was a unified directive from the country’s top leadership. The ceasefire was only approved after the Zionists launched the request. This is a result of highlighting the effectiveness of Iran’s resistance strategy.”
The 12-day war saw serious military escalations, including the US airstrikes on June 22, and airstrikes at Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordau and Isfahan. In Swift’s response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) surprised the Israeli forces and Intelligence Research Center in the occupying territory with 22 rounds of missiles and launched Operation True Promise III. Iran has also targeted Al Udeid Air Force Base in Qatar, the largest US base in West Asia. The war stopped on June 24th.
According to Aragucci, Iran’s decision to align military resistance with diplomatic involvement is what prevented the war from swirling into a catastrophe in the wider region. “We have been on the brink of war in recent years about three times after the martialism of Honey, during Promise II, and at least three times after the collapse of Syria.
In his remarks, Aragut also criticized the European trio, France, the UK and Germany, for “blatant hypocrisy.” On July 26, the three countries issued the Ultimate threatening to trigger a JCPOA snapback mechanism by August 31, unless Iran returns to consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“These same governments, which ignored the brutal Israeli bombardment of months in Gaza, are now issuing the Ultimate to Iran and defending itself,” Araguchi said. “More than 120 countries have condemned the attack on Iran, but Europe has chosen to repeat the point of our story, instead of supporting the JCPOA they claim to support it.”
He further criticized Europeans for staying silent between the US “maximum pressure” campaign and the direct threat of Trump. “They didn’t oppose our nuclear facilities or the obstruction of scientists’ assassinations, but they pretend to protect non-proliferation. It’s not diplomacy. It’s legally frightening.”
On nuclear issues, Aragut reiterated Iran’s longstanding stance. Tehran has never sought nuclear weapons, and the JCPOA was built on temporary trust measures rather than permanent restrictions. He described the US approach under Donald Trump as a trap that Iran navigated wisely.
“When Trump offered a ultimatum of war or talk, Iran chose to negotiate indirectly from a strategic foresight rather than from weakness,” he said.
Aragut rejected proposals like the Multinational Fuel Consortium as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty. He repeatedly said Iran’s rights to peaceful nuclear technology are unnegotiable, and warned that Iran could be forced to reconsider its participation in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if it were too far away.
The Foreign Minister praised the Iranian people for uniting during the crisis. “The strong unity among the Iranians reflected deep confidence in the state’s efforts to avoid war while protecting the dignity of the nation.”
According to Araghchi, Iran’s response is intermediate and diplomatically – “We are not isolated. We are not threatened, and we will not enter negotiations unless our flag is raised in victory.”
He concluded by warning local actors hosting US military bases to consider the risk of involvement in future conflicts. “If Iran is forced to protect itself, hostile bases will not be spared,” he warned.
As the suspension is in effect and diplomatic activities continue, Iranian leadership sees the latest conflict as a turning point, not an end. It is where Iran’s deterrent capabilities and diplomatic resilience have strengthened its regional and global position.