Tehran / New York – January 22, 2026 In a high-stakes interview with The New York Times published today, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered one of the most explicit warnings yet from the Islamic Republic: if the regime’s survival is threatened, Iran will not exercise restraint and will unleash its full military arsenal in response.
“This time we won’t show restraint,” Araghchi stated. “If our existence is at stake, we will fire back with everything we have.” The remarks come amid escalating regional tensions, renewed Israeli threats of preemptive strikes on nuclear sites, and reports of Iran accelerating underground work at the “Pickaxe Mountain” facility near Natanz while mass-producing ballistic missiles for a potential saturation attack on Israel.
The foreign minister framed the posture as defensive, claiming Iran seeks only to deter aggression, but analysts view the statement as a signal that Tehran is preparing for massive, simultaneous missile barrages rather than the phased launches seen in previous exchanges. Araghchi also reiterated Iran’s refusal to allow full IAEA inspections, calling them “politically motivated.”
The comments follow months of U.S. and Israeli pressure, including sanctions, covert operations, and President Donald Trump’s repeated warnings that Iran’s nuclear and missile programs will not be tolerated. European diplomats expressed alarm, fearing the rhetoric could close the window for any last-minute diplomacy.
