Iran rejected ceasefire during war, says Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that his country rejected a ceasefire during the war, continuing to fight until the opposing side reached a point where it accepted a ceasefire and negotiations on Iran's terms.

Araghchi added that "Iran fought fiercely and negotiated strongly, achieving victory both in war and diplomacy," noting that "the country continued fighting until the other side agreed to a ceasefire and negotiations under Iranian conditions."

During a press conference with Ministry of Education officials, the Iranian foreign minister stressed that "the Iranian people resisted the world's largest army," highlighting that "Iran achieved victory despite most Western countries and some other regional and international states supporting its adversaries."

Araghchi continued, "Those who sought to impose unconditional surrender on Iran soon pleaded for negotiations after the war began."

Regarding the victims of the Minab school, the Iranian foreign minister said, "The students and teachers martyred at Minab School are legends of the war and an enduring epic in our memory."