‘There is no military solution’ to end war, Iran tells US

Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that there is no military solution to the conflict between the US and Iran, adding that the war cannot be resolved through further sanctions, in an apparent reference to Washington’s sanctions on Tehran.

“There is no military solution and no solution based on more sanctions,” Abbas Araghchi said in an address to foreign ambassadors based in Tehran, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

“Only a solution grounded in negotiations, justice, and diplomatic dignity can address the situation and provide a final resolution to end this war and the unlawful aggression that has been launched against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Araghchi said.

If Washington resorts to military action, Tehran is ready to take all necessary measures to “defend ourselves with even more force,” he warned.

The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for energy supplies. The US military later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Efforts to end the war have continued since a June 18 framework deal, which seeks to pave the way for a final peace agreement covering navigation through the strategic waterway and Iran’s nuclear program.