Arriving Thursday for a two-day visit to Lebanon, Araghchi told journalists that while Iran avoids war, it is equipped to defend itself. He also extended an olive branch on nuclear discussions, conditional on talks proceeding with dignity and reciprocity, not American ultimatums.

This tough stance evokes memories of June’s intense 12-day confrontation between Israel and Iran, marked by U.S. strikes on sensitive nuclear sites. ‘Their aggressive experiment flopped completely,’ Araghchi asserted. ‘A repeat will bring identical failure—and repercussions.’

‘We’re ready for every possibility. Peace is our preference, defense our reality,’ he said. Addressing nuclear negotiations, Araghchi stressed: ‘Mutual respect and common goals must guide any dialogue for it to succeed.’

Meanwhile, Iran grapples with internal unrest. Protests raging for a second week over economic woes and suppressed freedoms have turned violent, with gunfire reported. Trump’s recent Truth Social post warned of U.S. action to safeguard civilians, prompting Tehran’s sharp rebuke as interference in sovereign affairs.

Araghchi’s visit to Beirut aims to bolster alliances amid these pressures. His message blends firmness with flexibility, potentially shaping the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations and regional stability as stakeholders brace for developments.