Iran says it is ready for renewed conflict if Trump orders post-midterm strikes
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a Sunday interview that Tehran is prepared to fight again if President Trump approves new strikes after November's midterms. He said a seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and establish a ceasefire remains available despite Trump rejecting it. Araghchi also defended Iran's nuclear enrichment and said the choice between war and diplomacy rests with Trump.
Iran's foreign minister told NBC's "Meet the Press" that Tehran remains ready for renewed fighting if Washington approves fresh attacks after November's elections. He said a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt hostilities is still on the table, though Trump turned it down.
Araghchi defended Iran's enrichment work as lawful and intended for certain uses. He also addressed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's absence, citing security threats, while President Pezeshkian told Fox News he had met Khamenei recently and said he can govern.
The standoff could keep Gulf shipping and energy markets on edge, affecting consumers and businesses dependent on Strait of Hormuz transit. In Iran and the U.S., voters may weigh escalation risks before November elections, while regional mediators could face renewed pressure. A diplomatic opening, if revived, may lower immediate tensions, but uncertainty over leadership and nuclear talks could sustain public anxiety and complicate humanitarian and economic conditions.