Iran has rejected calls for a ceasefire to end the war that the US and Israel launched against it last month, insisting instead on a "full, permanent and comprehensive end" to the conflict, as hostilities appear to be expanding beyond the Middle East, with a reported Iranian attack on Diego Garcia.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News that Tehran "does not accept a ceasefire", stressing that any resolution must include "guarantees to prevent a repeat of what happened, and compensation for the damage inflicted on Iran".
He added that while “some countries are trying to play a positive role” in mediation efforts, Iran believes "the United States does not appear ready to stop its aggression", and therefore it "will continue to defend itself".
Araghchi also addressed concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, saying the vital waterway "has not been closed" by Iran, but is restricted only to ships from countries attacking it. He warned, however, of "unsafe conditions", while offering conditional assurances: "We are ready to provide safe passage for ships as soon as they contact us."
When asked whether this message was directed specifically at Japan, he replied: "Absolutely".
Araghchi said Iran’s position remains that "this war is not our war, but was imposed on us", adding that Tehran had been engaged in negotiations with the US "before Washington decided to attack us".
He described the US action as "a clear act of aggression, illegal, unjustified and unprovoked", reiterating that Iran’s response constitutes "self-defence".
He added that Iran "will continue to defend itself for as long as necessary”, and called on the international community to “take a united stance” and pressure the US and Israel to halt their campaign. Missiles launched at Diego Garcia The remarks came as the conflict showed signs of widening geographically. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing several US officials, that Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
According to the report, the missiles failed to hit the base, located roughly 4,000 kilometres from Iran, but suggested that Tehran may possess longer-range capabilities than previously believed.
This comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer bowed to US pressure and said he would allow UK airbases to be used by Washington to target Iran. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States had carried out "strong strikes" against Iran and achieved a "military victory", while making clear he is not seeking a ceasefire.
"I do not want a ceasefire... nobody calls for a ceasefire when you are literally in the process of annihilating the other side," Trump told reporters at the White House.
He added: "We can have dialogue... but I do not want a ceasefire," insisting that "the enemy has been defeated".
In a later post on Truth Social, Trump suggested the possibility of winding down US military efforts in the region, though he did not indicate any immediate shift in strategy.