TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has emphasized the country’s commitment to defending its interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, stating that Iran observes no limits in those regards. 

The top diplomat made the remarks in an interview with Khamenei. ir, a website that belongs to the media office of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyad Ali Khamenei. 

The interview was published on Saturday after Israeli war jets fired missiles at military sites inside Iran. 

The full text of the interview is as follows:  

Minister Araghchi, you recently traveled to various regional countries, a tour that was praised by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. During these important meetings with regional leaders, what warnings did you deliver about potential cooperation with the Zionist regime against Iran, and in your view, what impact did these warnings have?

On these trips, we presented Iran’s definitive stance on regional issues, reaffirming Iran’s commitment to self-defense and support for the Resistance Front. Iran remains steadfast in its mission to support the Palestinian people and confront the Zionist regime, a path that has continued for nearly four decades without compromising Iran’s determination. Iran’s capability to defend itself, as well as its capacity for counter-retaliation against aggressors, was made clear. We conveyed a message that testing Iran’s resolve would be unwise and emphasized the importance of reducing tensions and fostering positive relations with neighbors.

We communicated that, while Iran is prepared for conflict, if necessary, it also values peace and has no desire for regional tensions. We clarified that Iran poses no threat to its neighbors in the Persian Gulf or beyond. Iran’s approach toward Israel and outside powers is distinct, but when it comes to neighbors, we are serious about diplomacy—a stance that started under the previous administration and continues today. 

 What are Iran’s limits when it comes to defending the nation’s interests and territorial integrity? Can insincere calls for restraint temper Iran’s response to aggressors?

Our history shows that Iran has no limits when it comes to self-defense. This was demonstrated during the eight-year war with Saddam’s regime and in confronting U.S. hostilities over the years. Despite sanctions and challenges, we have consistently defended our people. We will protect every inch of our land and stand firmly for the ideals of the Islamic Republic, as the world witnessed in Operations “True Promise 1 and 2,” which Iran carried out with determination.

Finally, Minister, what role did Operations True Promise 1 and 2 play in strengthening Iran’s diplomatic power?

Diplomacy fundamentally relies on domestic sources of strength. While diplomacy can itself generate power, it requires backing by national power components—military, economic, political, and ideological. Iranian diplomats rely on this internal strength, which includes defensive industries and armaments, to bolster Iran’s stance internationally. Operations like True Promise are a prime example of Iran’s commitment to its defense, reinforcing our foreign policy and advancing Iran’s diplomatic goals. These operations serve as a driving force for Iran’s foreign policy, and, God willing, they will continue to do so.