Tehran’s Battle Cry at Raisina Dialogue: Iran Ready to Fight to the Very End
New Delhi — Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on Friday declared that Tehran has no option but to resist the ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel, asserting that the country will continue the fight “until the last bullet and the last soldier.”
He also took a sharp swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that if he cannot determine who becomes mayor of New York, he certainly cannot decide who should lead Iran.
Speaking to a news agency on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, Khatibzadeh said Iran is currently facing conditions equivalent to a full-scale war.
According to him, hostile forces are attempting to inflict maximum damage on the country, while the capital Tehran remains under repeated bombardment.
He described the conflict as a battle for national survival and sovereignty, emphasizing that Iran must prevent what it sees as aggression against its territory.
Khatibzadeh further argued that the crisis represents not only an attack on Iran but also a challenge to the principles of international law. He called on the global community to unite against such actions.
Accusing Washington of assassinating the top leader of another country, he warned that if such acts became an accepted global precedent, it would severely undermine diplomatic relations between nations.
Iran Slams Ship Sinking
The Iranian diplomat also condemned the recent sinking of an Iranian vessel in the Indian Ocean.
According to him, the ship was unarmed and en route to participate in an international exercise at India’s invitation.
Targeting such a vessel, he said, resembled actions seen during the era of Nazi Germany. The attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of several young Iranian sailors.
Warning Over Possible U.S. Ground Operation
Addressing the possibility of a U.S. ground offensive, Khatibzadeh said Iran is fully prepared to counter any form of colonial-style intervention.
He stressed that no country has the right to travel thousands of kilometers to impose political change on another sovereign state.
He also noted that Iran takes pride in its Kurdish citizens, though he accused certain separatist factions of receiving backing from foreign intelligence agencies.
Emphasis on India–Iran Relations
Khatibzadeh revealed that he briefly met India’s External Affairs Minister during the Raisina Dialogue.
He highlighted the long-standing civilizational ties between India and Iran and said Tehran places great importance on strengthening those relations.
On the question of ending the war, he said diplomatic pathways could reopen once the attacks cease.
Jaishankar Calls for Diplomacy
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also held talks with Khatibzadeh during the conference.
Sources indicate that India stressed the importance of preventing further escalation and urged all sides to seek a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue forum.
Conflict Intensifies Across the Middle East
Meanwhile, tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate. On Friday, Israel carried out major airstrikes on the capitals of Iran and Lebanon, while the United States targeted an Iranian drone carrier at sea.
The joint military campaign against Tehran has reportedly intensified.
In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones toward Tel Aviv. Iranian state media reported that long-range Khorramshahr-4 missiles were among the weapons used in the counterattack.
The confrontation has now stretched beyond a week, affecting multiple countries across the region. The Israeli military claims it has destroyed a significant portion of Iran’s air defense systems and missile launch facilities.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that military operations against Tehran could expand rapidly in the coming days. Iran, in response, has cautioned that continued attacks may cause severe damage to the region’s military and economic infrastructure.
Rising Human Cost
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict erupted a week ago. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 123 people have died and 683 have been injured in Israeli strikes there this week.
Meanwhile, Iranian attacks have killed 10 people in Israel and the Gulf states, while the U.S. military confirmed the deaths of six American service members.
Explosions were heard across Tel Aviv after warnings of incoming Iranian missiles, with Israeli air defense systems attempting to intercept several of the projectiles mid-air.
Qatar has strongly condemned an Iranian strike targeting military facilities in Bahrain that host joint command structures of the Gulf Cooperation Council, calling it a direct threat to regional security and stability.
Global Calls for De-escalation
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has appealed to the international community for urgent intervention amid the Israel–Hezbollah conflict, warning that mass displacement could trigger a humanitarian disaster.
Meanwhile, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged all sides to immediately de-escalate and allow room for diplomacy, expressing concern over the large-scale displacement of civilians in Lebanon.
China has also begun restoring some commercial flight routes to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, while simultaneously evacuating its citizens from areas affected by the escalating conflict.
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