Iran says it "will not stop"; Issues harsh message: "Two evils imposing war"

“We did not start this war, and our people will not accept that the country has been attacked twice in nine months while it was committed to diplomacy,” Baghaei said at a press conference, according to Press TV.

He added that the Iranian nation does not accept that “two evil entities” impose war on the country and then undertake a “ceasefire gesture” when they encounter difficulties.

He reiterated that the Iranian nation and armed forces are determined to “continue this war as long as necessary.”

Asked about consultations between Russia, Iran, and the U.S., Baghaei said that the fact that various countries are in contact with Iran and then hold talks with other parties “has nothing to do with the Islamic Republic.”

“Iran is currently focused on defense because the nation was brutally attacked during negotiations. So, can we focus on anything other than defense?” Baghaei asked.

When asked if Iran is ready for any mediation aimed at de-escalation, the spokesperson for the Iranian ministry said that “the term de-escalation is not accurate because we are involved in a large-scale war and are defending ourselves.”

Baghaei once again emphasized that Iran will continue to exercise its right to self-defense as long as the country’s decision-makers and armed forces consider it necessary.

The U.S. and Israel launched a joint military aggression against Iran on February 28, about eight months after they attacked the country in June of last year.

Both attacks occurred while Tehran was in the midst of diplomatic negotiations with Washington over its peaceful nuclear program, notes the Iranian TV channel.

Iranian armed forces then launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. military bases in regional countries and on targets in Israel.