Iran ready for fresh conflict with US while pursuing peace

Beirut (ANTARA) – Iran is seeking to prevent a new conflict with the United States but remains prepared for any eventuality should a military confrontation occur, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told Al-Jadeed television on Friday.

“Most of Iran’s efforts through diplomacy and cooperation with mediators are aimed at preventing war. However, we are ready for various scenarios if a new military confrontation with the US takes place,” the diplomat said.

Khatibzadeh said Iran would take steps to strengthen its position in the region if it were attacked again.

Commenting on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the deputy minister accused Washington of using the waterway as a tool in its confrontation with Tehran. He said the situation around the strategic sea route could be managed once the existing threats had been removed.

On Lebanon, Khatibzadeh stressed that the Hezbollah movement makes its own decisions, including on whether to resume hostilities against Israel. Tehran respects Lebanon’s sovereignty and does not interfere in the country’s domestic affairs.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important routes for supplying oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global markets. Threats to freedom of navigation through the strait amid the Iran-US confrontation pose additional risks to international trade and energy security.