Iran blames Trump for rising tensions, warns ‘Our powerful armed forces have long been prepared’

TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the US would be responsible if tensions with Iran escalate. He accused President Donald Trump of misreading Tehran’s intentions and increasing the risk of conflict in the region.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi noted that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had signaled openness to easing tensions. However, he warned that Iran’s military is ready to respond if the situation deteriorates. On the other hand, Trump said the US could strike Iran “very hard.” He said there is no set timetable for action and added that Washington would do “whatever it takes."

Tehran says Trump remarks risk regional conflict

In a post shared on Saturday, March 7, he said comments by Trump had undermined recent signals from Tehran that it was open to easing tensions in the region.

“President Pezeshkian’s openness to de-escalation within our region - provided that our neighbors’ airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian people - was almost immediately killed by President Trump’s misinterpretation of our capabilities, determination and intent,” Araghchi said.

He also cautioned that Iran’s military is ready if the situation turns into a confrontation. “If Mr Trump seeks escalation, it is precisely what our powerful armed forces have long been prepared for, and what he will get,” Araghchi said. He added that if Iran has to increase its defensive actions, the blame would lie “squarely with the US administration.”

Araghchi further criticized the cost of American military involvement in the region. He claimed that Trump’s “week-long misadventure” had already cost the US military around $100 billion, along with the lives of American soldiers. “When markets reopen, that cost will balloon and be transferred directly to ordinary Americans at pumping stations,” he said.

Iran’s foreign minister also claimed that assessments by US intelligence agencies indicate that a war with Iran would not be successful. “Mr Trump’s own National Intelligence Council, representing input from the 18 intelligence agencies of the US, determined that war on Iran is destined to fail,” Araghchi said.

He added that he had already warned Trump’s envoys that using military force would not help the United States in negotiations. Araghchi also questioned whether those warnings were ever passed on to the president.

Iran accuses Netanyahu of pushing US conflict

Araghchi accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pushing the US toward conflict with Iran. He said many Americans wanted fewer wars in the Middle East, but tensions are rising again.

“This is a war of choice pursued by a small cabal of ‘Israel Firsters,’ and ‘Israel First’ always means ‘America Last,'” Araghchi said.

His comments come as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, raising concerns that the situation could grow into a larger regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent a message to Arab Gulf countries, apologizing and saying Iran would not attack neighboring states unless their territories were used to launch strikes against Iran.

“We will respond decisively to any aggression from American bases,” the statement said.

According to the president’s office, the message was meant to reassure nearby countries that Iran does not plan to target them if they stay out of the conflict. “The message from President Pezeshkian is clear: if regional countries do not cooperate in America’s attack on us, we will not attack them,” the statement said.