Iran Demands United States Explain Reasons for Aggression Before Ceasefire Negotiations
Iran has demanded that the United States explain the reasons for its aggression before considering ceasefire negotiations. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that such clarification is a prerequisite before Tehran would contemplate any ceasefire agreement as has been proposed. Without this explanation, Iran will certainly reject such proposals.
“They must explain why they started this aggression, before we get to the point of considering a ceasefire,” Foreign Minister Araghchi told NBC News on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
According to Araghchi, Iran has exercised its right to self-defence. “Of course, no one wants to continue this war. We were forced by the United States and Israel. They, you know, started this war without provocation, without reason, and illegally; and what we are doing now is lawful self-defence action and we have every right to do that,” he explained.
Araghchi denied that Iran deliberately attacked neighbouring countries in the Middle East. According to him, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes against bases and military assets belonging to the United States located in the region.
“It is wrong if you think Iran attacked its neighbouring countries. No, we do not attack our neighbouring countries. We attacked American bases, American installations, American assets, which unfortunately are located in the territories of our neighbouring countries. So, we are not attacking our neighbouring countries. We are attacking the Americans who attacked us,” Foreign Minister Araghchi said.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the Middle East will never achieve peace so long as it hosts US military bases. Iran has attacked Israeli territory and US military targets in the Middle East in response to the joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel on 28 February.
“The defence policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is consistent, based on the guidance of our Imam who has fallen as a martyr. As long as the presence of American bases in this region continues, these nations will not enjoy peace,” he said on X on Saturday, 7 March 2026.
The first day of the military operation resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the bombing of a girls’ school in southern Iran. Iran estimates total casualties at more than 1,200 people.