Iranian professor Mostafa Khoshcheshm has said US President Donald Trump’s contradictory statements last night convinced Tehran it would not find “a trustworthy partner for any kind of deal”, and as long as the US acts this way, “Iran will continue the war”.

Speaking to Al Jazeera on the broader mood in Tehran, Khoshcheshm said the Iranian armed forces are “completely ready”, and millions of people taking to the streets every night are demanding continuation of “resistance”.

“Iran believes it has the upper hand and that this must be established in any future confrontation,” he told Al Jazeera.