TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that the country has emerged stronger following a recent military confrontation, signaling Tehran’s continued commitment to diplomacy while warning that any future aggression would face a robust response.
“We are stronger now,” Araghchi told a conference in Tehran, referring to the aftermath of a 12-day war with Israel and allied forces. 
“If previous failed attempts are repeated, the outcome will be no different. At the same time, we have managed to restore our capabilities. Sanctions certainly carry a cost, but they have not been able to break our will.”
Araghchi spoke at the opening of an international conference on “International Law under Aggression, Invasion, and Defense,” held at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event gathered senior officials, scholars, and think-tank representatives from Iran and abroad to discuss diplomacy and international policy.
Reflecting on the recent military escalation, Araghchi described it as an “attack on diplomacy,” saying that the aggressors – Israel and the United States – ultimately failed to achieve their objectives. 
“The military strike may have damaged facilities, but knowledge and resolve cannot be destroyed by bombing,” he said. “Now, the call for renewed negotiations has begun.”
Araghchi stressed that diplomacy must be based on dialogue rather than coercion. 
“There is a rule for diplomacy: you cannot impose your demands. The first step is to accept that dialogue must replace force. When that condition exists, Iran has shown it is ready to negotiate. We never abandoned the negotiation table; it was the other side that walked away,” he said.
He added that the United States and Western countries had consistently sought to impose their demands, but diplomacy remains possible if principles are respected. “Diplomacy can continue today, but its rules must be upheld,” Araghchi said.
Turning to Iran’s approach to regional security, Araghchi emphasized the country’s preference for peaceful solutions. 
“I spoke in my speech about two paths: force and diplomacy. Diplomacy is our first choice,” he said. 
He described Iran’s regional outlook as “very promising,” highlighting the country’s ability to withstand the 12-day war and defend itself against aggression from the United States and Israel, supported by certain other countries.
Araghchi recounted that the opposing forces requested an unconditional ceasefire on the 12th day of the war signaling that they had failed to meet their objectives. 
“Iran was able to show strong defense. Some claim the Iranian sky was under their control, but it is rarely mentioned that the skies of the regime were under the control of Iran’s missiles. The regime had no choice but to agree to a ceasefire,” he said.
Highlighting national resilience, Araghchi said: “What matters now is the will of the Iranian people. They did not succeed in breaking national cohesion. A few months after the 12-day war, I can confidently say that in terms of defensive strength, we are far stronger than before June. We have learned many lessons from the war, identified our weaknesses and strengths, and are now better prepared for defense – which in itself is a deterrent.”
Araghchi reiterated that Iran will only engage with other countries through diplomacy
 grounded in respect and dignity. 
“The U.S. and others must understand that there is no way to resolve issues with Iran except through diplomacy and the language of respect. If they speak with respect, Iran will respond in kind. But if another approach is taken, the people will answer in the same language,” he said.
He also referenced Iran’s previous experience with negotiations and conflict. 
“We have experience with both paths. In 2015, we had the negotiations and the JCPOA; in the recent war, they spoke with the language of force and received its answer. We are ready for both paths,” Araghchi said.
 Joining the discussion, Iran’s Vice President and head of the Atomic Energy Organization Muhammad Eslami addressed the specific impact of the war on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Eslami noted that during the 12-day war, for the first time in history, Iran’s nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision were attacked, yet the agency did not condemn the strikes. 
“In previous attacks on nuclear facilities worldwide, none were under IAEA supervision. In Iran, this was the first time, and neither the IAEA Director General nor its Board issued condemnation – a direct blow to international law,” he said.
Eslami highlighted that inspectors were present during the attacks and subsequently withdrawn, emphasizing that the assaults aimed at halting Iran’s progress rather than its nuclear capabilities. 
He said that the IAEA must establish new modalities to protect nuclear facilities under potential conflict conditions. “Iran remains committed to its safeguards obligations, but double standards and political manipulation cannot be tolerated,” he added.
He also stressed that while the attacks carried no environmental or human consequences due to Iran’s preparations, the political pressure created by the strikes undermined both the agency’s credibility and international norms. 
Eslami reaffirmed Iran’s right to continue its nuclear activities and safeguards cooperation under fair and secure conditions.
Reiterating Araghchi’s broader point about diplomacy, Eslami’s remarks reinforced that Iran is ready to engage in international negotiations, but any dialogue must respect its sovereignty, rights, and national dignity.