Iran Will Not Accept Ceasefire, Vows to Protect National Security: Tehran's FM

The Iranian government has firmly dismissed the prospect of a temporary ceasefire in its escalating conflict with the United States and Israel.

Speaking with NBC's Meet the Press, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared that Tehran would persist with its military operations to safeguard its national security and citizens, asserting that Washington had already "learned a good lesson" from recent exchanges.

A Rejection of Temporary Truces
Araghchi's rhetoric underscored a deep-seated mistrust of international diplomatic efforts. He argued that agreeing to a pause in hostilities is impossible while what he described as targeted attacks on civilians and infrastructure continue.

"We need to continue fighting for the sake of our people and our security," Araghchi stated. He further accused the US and Israel of egregious humanitarian violations, including strikes on hospitals and schools. Referencing the collapse of previous agreements, such as the truce following the 12-day war last year, he dismissed the current calls for a ceasefire as hypocritical.

"They shattered the ceasefire and now you want to ask for a ceasefire again? This doesn't work like this," he remarked, maintaining that only a permanent cessation of hostilities would alter Iran's stance.

Allegations of Russian Intelligence Sharing
The diplomatic tension is further complicated by emerging reports of a "symbiotic" military relationship between Tehran and Moscow. Sources suggest that Russia has been providing Iran with critical intelligence regarding the location of US forces in the Middle East, specifically data that could allow Iran to track and target American warships.

While Araghchi did not explicitly confirm the sharing of specific naval intelligence, he did not shy away from acknowledging the depth of the partnership. He noted that Russo-Iranian cooperation is "not a secret" and spans "many different directions," though he claimed to lack detailed information on the specific reports.

The United States has remained defiant in the face of these developments. Mike Waltz, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, confirmed that Washington is fully aware of the collaboration between the two nations. However, he downplayed the strategic impact of any Russian assistance.

Waltz asserted that the US military is currently "decimating" Iran's various military branches-including its air force, navy, and command-and-control structures-suggesting that whatever intelligence Moscow is providing has proven largely ineffective against American technical superiority.

The interview concluded with a stark warning regarding the potential for further escalation. When questioned about the possibility of American boots on the ground, Araghchi delivered a grim promise of resistance. He claimed that "brave soldiers" are prepared to confront any foreign forces that enter Iranian territory, vowing to "destroy" any enemy that attempts a land-based invasion.

Meanwhile, Iran's Oil Ministry has rejected Washington's move to ease sanctions on Iranian crude loaded on vessels as of March 20.

In a statement issued by Iran's consulate in Mumbai, officials said: "Iran essentially has no floating crude or surplus available for international markets. The U.S. Treasury Secretary's remarks appear aimed at reassuring buyers and managing market sentiment."