Iran Outlines Conditions for Ending War with the US and Israel
Tehran, Iran — The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that the ongoing armed conflict with the United States (US) and Israel will only end if the adversaries halt their aggression, amid a major escalation unsettling the Middle East. Baghaei spoke to reporters at a primary school in Tehran that had been targeted by US-Israeli airstrikes. He claimed Iran has long pursued diplomatic steps from the outset.
“The war was not started by Iran, which actually chose diplomacy,” Baghaei said on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
The conflict peaked after the US and Israel launched a major assault on Iran’s sovereign territory on Saturday, 28 February 2026. Official Tehran data put the death toll at nearly 800. Among the casualties were key figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior military officials.
Ironically, the deadly attack came only days after the US and Iran completed the third round of indirect nuclear talks mediated by Oman. Baghaei revealed that internally Iran is divided regarding this diplomacy. Many within the country oppose negotiating with Washington, citing trauma from similar attacks launched by Israel and the US against Iran in June last year.
In response to the deteriorating situation, Baghaei urged the United Nations Security Council and the international community to intervene immediately. He warned of the risk of the conflict spreading to other regions if aggression is not halted.
“We have sworn to fight with all our might in this battle,” he said firmly. He added that Tehran’s main focus at present is preserving the sovereignty of the country.
Baghaei also alluded to diplomatic confusion that has occurred over the last 18 months. According to him, Iran has received many conflicting and misleading messages.
“Now is the time to fight and defend our homeland. Whatever distracts us must be eliminated,” Baghaei stated firmly.
Furthermore, Iran laments the international community’s indifferent attitude toward violations of law. Baghaei highlighted how the world seems to tolerate genocide and aggression against neighbouring states without a tangible response.
He warned that if nations claiming to uphold the rule of law and the international normative order do not act in accordance with the UN Charter, the consequences will be dire.
“The flame of law violations and rebellion will sweep all countries,” he warned.
In response to attacks on their sovereignty, Iran reportedly launched 15 waves of retaliatory strikes using missiles and drones. These attacks targeted Israel and US military assets spread across the region, including Bahrain and Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, as well as Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Although Iran claims the strikes as self-defence, several regional countries publicly condemned Tehran’s actions as unjustifiable.