Iran vows no negotiations with US, risks ‘continuing the war’

TEHRAN (AFP) – In a stark rebuke to Washington, Iran has made it clear that it will not negotiate with the United States under any circumstances. A senior aide to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Mohammad Mokhber, told state television Wednesday that Tehran is prepared for “a protracted conflict” with America if necessary.

The aide’s comments follow a sharp rebuke from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who claimed U.S. President Donald Trump had betrayed diplomatic efforts and Americans who had elected him into office. Araghchi posted on his Twitter account: “When complex nuclear negotiations are treated like a real estate transaction, and when big lies cloud realities, unrealistic expectations can never be met.”

The situation escalated further as Israeli military officials warned that Iran retains significant missile capabilities despite the ongoing strikes against its weapon systems. Brigadier General Effie Defrin of the Israeli defense forces emphasized: “We have destroyed dozens of missile launchers that posed significant threats to our front lines and will continue to strike them. However, the regime still has considerable capacity; we need to remind everyone that our defense is not invulnerable.”

This latest round of tensions comes amid conflicting reports from Qatar and Kuwait regarding Iranian activities in their territories. Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari condemned Iran’s attacks as “unacceptable and unjustifiable.” He added: “The targeting by Iran extends beyond military installations or American interests; it encompasses the entirety of Qatari territory.”

In response to these actions, Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone attack targeted at its massive Ras Tanura refinery. The defense ministry reported that initial analysis indicated the incident did not result in damage.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s military acknowledged detecting incoming projectiles and missiles, leading them into their fifth day of dealing with Iranian onslaughts aimed at Gulf states. In a statement from the state-run news agency AFP, it was noted: “The armed forces are currently managing an influx of missiles and drones detected within the airspace of the State of Kuwait.”

This backdrop of escalating conflicts underscores the precarious nature of regional stability in the Middle East amidst ongoing tensions between Iran and the West. The international community faces a complex landscape where even diplomatic gestures can be perceived as betrayals, fueling cycles of retaliation that threaten to destabilize the already volatile region further.