Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran has "never asked for a ceasefire" in the war with Israel and the US

In a defiant address to international media, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that Tehran has not formally requested a ceasefire nor initiated negotiations with the United States or Israel. Araghchi’s statement, delivered during an interview with CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, March 15, 2026, aimed to project national strength amid the ongoing military campaign. He insisted that Iran is stable and strong enough to continue defending its territory and people from what he described as a "war of choice" and an illegal act of aggression by Western forces.

The Foreign Minister’s remarks directly contradict recent claims made by US President Donald Trump, who suggested that the Iranian leadership was desperate to reach a settlement. On Saturday, March 14, 2026, Trump told reporters that while Iran wants to make a deal, he was not yet ready to accept one because the proposed terms aren't good enough yet. Trump has maintained a hardline stance, asserting that the US and its allies have significantly decimated Iran’s military and economic infrastructure, leaving Tehran with few options but to surrender.

Araghchi, however, dismissed the notion that Iran is seeking an exit from the conflict, framing their current operations as purely defensive. He specifically noted that Iran sees no reason to talk with American officials, citing a lack of positive experience in previous diplomatic efforts. According to Araghchi, Iran will continue its military posture as long as the US and Israel continue their strikes, particularly targeting Iranian nuclear and energy facilities. He emphasized that the nation is prepared to endure the conflict until the US administration realizes that there is no victory in this war.

The war, which escalated following massive strikes on February 28, has significantly disrupted global energy markets due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. While Trump has called on international allies to help secure the vital waterway and clear a path for oil shipments, Araghchi warned that any further foreign involvement could widen the scope of the war. He defended Iran’s strikes on neighboring regions, claiming they were necessary responses to countries that allowed their soil to be used by American forces to launch attacks against Iranian sovereign territory.

As the conflict enters its third week, both sides appear deeply entrenched in their respective positions. While US officials point to the destruction of key sites like Kharg Island as evidence of a looming Iranian collapse, Tehran continues to project a narrative of resilience. The conflicting accounts regarding the desire for a ceasefire underscore a profound lack of communication between the two powers, suggesting that the path toward a diplomatic resolution remains distant as military operations continue to intensify on both sides.