Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has defended Tehran’s position as both “open to diplomacy” and determined to retaliate, arguing the U.S. has a pattern of undermining talks—attacking during negotiations and withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal. He insisted there is “no victory” in the current war and rejected regime-change aims as “mission impossible,” saying Iran’s institutions and constitutional succession mechanisms remain intact and would produce a new leader via the Assembly of Experts within days. Araqchi also tried to reassure Gulf neighbors, saying Iran’s strikes are aimed at U.S. targets and bases in the region rather than regional states themselves.