Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphatically rejected calls for a ceasefire on Wednesday and warned that any US attempt at a ground invasion would result in "a big disaster for them," in his most extensive public comments since the conflict began.
Speaking to CNBC in an exclusive interview, Araghchi struck a defiant tone, insisting that Iran would not seek to de-escalate the confrontation. "We are not asking for a ceasefire," the foreign minister stated. "We are confident in our ability to defend our territory and our people."
The remarks came as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged in classified congressional briefings that the Pentagon is war-gaming potential ground operation scenarios, though no decision has been made to deploy troops beyond special operations forces already active in the region.
Araghchi dismissed the prospect of a successful American invasion, pointing to the US experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq. "They should learn from their past mistakes," he said. "Iran is not Iraq in 2003. We have prepared for this scenario for decades."
To understand today's headlines, we must look at yesterday's decisions. Iran's military doctrine has been built around the assumption of eventual conflict with the United States since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has spent years developing asymmetric warfare capabilities designed to make any invasion prohibitively costly.
Military analysts note that Iran's terrain presents significant challenges for conventional military operations. The country's mountainous interior and the concentrated urban population around Tehran would complicate any ground campaign. The US military has estimated that securing Iran would require a force several times larger than the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Araghchi also warned that Iran retains the capability to strike US interests throughout the region. "We have shown restraint in targeting American forces directly," he said. "But if they invade our soil, all options are on the table."
The foreign minister's combative rhetoric contrasts with more cautious signals from other Iranian officials. President Masoud Pezeshkian, elected last year on a platform of engagement with the West, has been notably absent from public view since the conflict began, suggesting internal disagreement about how to respond to the crisis.
Diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have so far failed to gain traction. China and Russia have called for an immediate end to hostilities, but the United States has insisted that any ceasefire must include provisions preventing Iran from reconstituting its nuclear program.
The interview was notable for what Araghchi did not say. He avoided any mention of Iran's nuclear capabilities or timeline, a subject of intense speculation as the conflict continues. Western intelligence agencies assess that Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear device within weeks if it chose to do so, though weaponization would take longer.
As the conflict enters its second week, both sides appear to be settling in for an extended confrontation rather than seeking off-ramps to de-escalation.
