Tehran remains open to negotiations with the United States as long as they are based on "mutual respect and interests," but it is also ready for war if that is Washington's intent, Iran's foreign minister said on Thursday.
Abbas Araghchi, speaking during a press conference in Beirut, added that the purpose of his visit to Lebanon was to discuss Israel's "challenges and threats" to regional security, as well as expanding bilateral ties.
Araghchi told the Mehr News Agency of his trip to Lebanon on Wednesday. The Iranian official noted that he would make the trip along with an economic delegation.
Araghchi makes trip after Lebanese FM declines visit to Tehran
Last month, Lebanon's foreign minister, Youssef Raji, declined an invitation to visit the Islamic Republic, suggesting that the two countries hold talks in a neutral, third country agreed upon by both nations.
Raji cited "current conditions" for the decision not to go to Iran, without specifying further, and stressed that the move does not mean rejection of dialogue with Iran. Last week, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi invited Raji to visit Iran in the near future to discuss bilateral ties.