Araghchi says Iran will give diplomacy a chance but 'forces are fully prepared'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Iran will keep in close contact with intermediaries to give diplomacy a chance, even as its armed forces stand ready to defend the country. “While our brave armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country, Iran remains committed to giving diplomacy a chance to succeed,” he said in a statement. “We will continue our close and continuous communication with intermediaries to explore ideas that could implement the seven-day plan, even within a period of less than a week,” he added.