Iran: We are ready for war, but and for agreement

Iran has said it is ready to hold talks with the United States, but only if the negotiations are not conducted under pressure and do not include Iran’s missile program, as diplomats seek to avert the risk of a regional conflict.
After meeting with Turkish diplomats on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country is “ready to begin talks if they are held on the basis of equality, supported by mutual interests and mutual respect.
He said there are no immediate plans to meet with U.S. officials, adding: “I want to state clearly that Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities will never be a subject of negotiation.”
The Iranian top diplomat further added: “The Islamic Republic of Iran, just as it is ready for talks, is also ready for war.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he hopes to avoid military action and suggested that talks with Iran remain possible, even as Washington deployed another warship to the Middle East, joining the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several other missile-equipped vessels.
Speaking at the premiere of a documentary about his wife, Melania Trump, the White House chief said Iran must do “two things” to avoid military action by his country. “Number one, no nuclear [weapons], and number two, stop killing protesters.”
Iran has blamed the United States and Israel for fueling the protests that began in late December over economic hardships and were later brutally suppressed by authorities. Activist groups estimate that up to 30,000 people may have been killed during the crackdown.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that resuming talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program is “vital for reducing regional tensions.” Speaking alongside his Iranian counterpart, he claimed that Iran is pushing the United States toward attacking Iran and called on Washington not to allow this to happen.
In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he is ready to act as a mediator between Iran and the United States.