Iran says it will fight “as long as it takes” and denies asking Trump for ceasefire, according to Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, as the conflict involving the United States and Israel moves deeper into its third week with intensifying strikes and rising regional tensions.
Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Arghghchi rejected claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran had requested negotiations or a ceasefire. The Iranian diplomat insisted the country had not sought talks and would continue resisting what it describes as an illegal war initiated by Washington.
“We never asked for a ceasefire and we have never asked even for negotiation,” Araghchi said. “We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes.”
Trump had earlier suggested that Iran was looking for a way out of the conflict but said the United States was not prepared to accept the terms that Tehran allegedly proposed. The American leader also claimed U.S. forces had successfully destroyed military targets on Kharg Island, one of Iran’s most important oil export hubs in the Persian Gulf.
The president added that American forces might continue bombing the island, remarks that drew sharp criticism from Iranian officials. Araghchi responded by accusing Washington of prolonging the conflict and said civilians were dying because of the war.
The fighting has intensified across multiple fronts in recent days. Israel confirmed it had launched what it described as wide-scale strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, targeting facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as well as command centres connected to the Basij security force.
Israeli officials said the latest attacks were intended to weaken Iran’s command and control capabilities and to disrupt the operational network supporting Tehran’s military operations.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the campaign could expand further as the military continues targeting strategic sites across western and central Iran.
The conflict has also raised fears of wider regional escalation.
Residents in several neighbourhoods of Beirut and other parts of Lebanon were warned to evacuate following Israeli alerts about potential strikes against suspected militant positions.
Meanwhile, tensions have spread throughout the Gulf region, where attacks on energy infrastructure and drone incidents have heightened concerns about global oil supply.
The strategic Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point for international observers. The narrow waterway carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making any disruption there a major risk for global markets.
In response to growing fears of supply shortages, the International Energy Agency announced that more than 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves will soon be released to stabilize markets.
Governments have committed around 271.7 million barrels from national stockpiles, while another 116.6 million barrels will come from industry reserves and additional supplies.
Most of the released stock will consist of crude oil, with a smaller portion made up of refined petroleum products. Officials said supplies from Asia-Pacific countries will be available immediately, while reserves from Europe and the Americas are expected to reach markets later in March.
Despite mounting international concern about the war’s impact on energy markets and regional stability, both Washington and Tehran appear determined to maintain their positions.
Read also: Kharg Island oil export hub: Trump says US may strike Iran site ‘just for fun’ as war tensions rise
Iran continues to frame the conflict as an act of self-defence, while the United States says its operations are designed to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and prevent threats to its allies.
With neither side showing signs of stepping back, the war appears set to continue with uncertain consequences for the broader Middle East.
