Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: We can't wait for a ground invasion, we are not seeking a ceasefire

(Patria) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with NBC News that Iranians "can't wait" for the start of a US ground invasion.

NBC News anchor Tom Llamas asked Araghchi during a live broadcast if the Iranian government feared a possible occupation of his country.

- No, we are waiting for them - Araghchi replied with a smile.
Surprised Llamas repeated: "You are waiting for the ground forces of the US army to occupy?!", to which Araghchi replied:

- Yes!

The Iranian Foreign Minister then explained what he meant.

- We are a country ready to face those troops, and it will be a disaster for them - he stated, adding that they have learned lessons from the past.

- We are ready to face all scenarios and we know we can control them - he added.

When asked by the NBC News anchor if Russia and China are actively helping Iran, he answered affirmatively, saying that they are doing so by supporting Tehran "politically and otherwise". He refused to answer whether these two countries are militarily helping Iran, saying that he "will not give details in the middle of a war".

Araghchi stated in the interview that Iran is not seeking a ceasefire.

- We see no reason why we should negotiate with the US - he said and added:

- When we negotiated with them twice, they attacked us in the middle of negotiations each time.

Araghchi also emphasized that Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, saying that it was "ships and tankers" that refused to cross the waterway.

- We have no intention of closing it right now, but as the war continues, we will consider every scenario - he added.

Araghchi had a grim outlook on the outcome of the current conflict.

- There are no winners in this war - he said and added:

- Our victory is in being able to resist illegal goals, and that is what we have done so far.

When asked who might succeed the assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Araghchi said that "there are many rumors, but no one knows exactly who might eventually be chosen".

He dismissed Axios' report that Trump said he should be involved in the election of the next Supreme Leader.

- This is absolutely the affair of the Iranian people and no one can interfere - he said.