Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran is “fully prepared for the war to be resumed”.

“We stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war,” Araghchi told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” when asked about a Wall Street Journal report that Trump could seek to resume bombing after the US midterm elections.

“At the same time, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose,” the FM added.

Araghchi said that despite Trump’s public comments on Iran’s proposal, the rejection had still not been officially communicated to Iran via mediators.

He reaffirmed that Iran was ready to reopen the strait as part of an agreement to end the conflict, adding that in return, “we want our monies, our assets, which are illegally frozen, to be released. We want to be able to sell our oil”.

“If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy,” Araghchi said. “But I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn’t miss any chance for peace.”