Iran's Foreign Minister: Iran Has Not Requested a Ceasefire and Is Prepared to Respond to U.S. Ground Invasion

On March 5, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated on the 5th that Iran has not requested a ceasefire and is prepared to respond to a ground invasion by U.S. forces.

Zarif said during a video interview with NBC in Tehran that despite the U.S. and Israel launching airstrikes across Iran, Iran has not made a request for a ceasefire. He stated that the U.S. has attacked Iran during negotiations last year and this year, so Iran has no reason to engage with "those who lack sincerity in negotiations and do not participate in good faith."

When discussing the possibility of a ground offensive by U.S. forces, Zarif said, "We are waiting for them because we are confident in confronting them, and it will be a great disaster for them."

In response to reports that U.S. President Trump claimed he would "personally participate" in selecting Iran's new leader, Zarif emphasized, "This is absolutely a matter for the Iranian people, and no one can interfere."

According to a report from the U.S. news site Axios, Trump stated during a phone interview with the site that he "must personally participate" in the appointment of Iran's next leader and expressed his refusal to accept a new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei's policies, stating that this would force the U.S. "back into war within five years."