Iranian Deputy FM Says “No Option but to Resist to the Last Bullet” Against US-Israel Actions
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has asserted that Tehran has “no option” but to engage in a “heroic nationalist defence” against what he described as an American and Israeli “invasion,” vowing that the nation will resist to the “last bullet” and “last soldier.”
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2026, Khatibzadeh emphasised that Iran is enduring a state of total war.
“The priority right now is for Iran to exercise ultimate resistance against the aggressor. We are under attack by Americans and Israelis, who are trying to inflict maximum damage. My fellow citizens are under constant carpet-bombing. Tehran is under continuous attack, and we have no option but to resist to the last bullet and the last soldier,” he said.
He described the conflict as a necessary stand against external atrocities.
“This is a very heroic, very nationalistic battle for us. We have to stop the aggressor and their atrocities. International law is under attack, as is Iran. We must stand together against these violations,” Khatibzadeh told ANI.
He further warned that US actions, including the alleged assassination of a head of state, threaten global diplomatic norms.
“Americans have assassinated the head of another state. If this becomes the new norm, no country can maintain normal diplomatic relations,” he said.
Addressing the sinking of an Iranian vessel in the Indian Ocean, Khatibzadeh compared it to actions by Nazi Germany.
“That vessel was attending a ceremonial international exercise by invitation from our Indian friends. It was unarmed and unloaded. The only precedent was during Nazi times when unarmed ships were attacked away from combat zones. Many young Iranian sailors lost their lives, and this cannot go unpunished,” he said.
On the possibility of a US ground invasion, Khatibzadeh stressed that Iran is prepared to resist what he described as a “colonial mission.”
“We are engaging in heroic nationalist defence. They cannot come a thousand miles from their borders to topple a democratically elected government,” he said.
Khatibzadeh also addressed reports of CIA involvement with Kurdish groups, distinguishing between the Kurdish people and foreign-backed separatists.
“Our Kurds are central to Iranian identity. Separatists have been nurtured by the CIA and Mossad. Iran has a strong identity and will defend it,” he said.
Regarding India, Khatibzadeh confirmed high-level diplomatic contact, citing shared civilisational roots.
“Iran and India have deep civilisational ties, reflecting Indo-Persian culture. We attach great importance to Iran-India relations,” he said.
On prospects for ending the conflict, the minister maintained that Iran’s resistance is historically and morally grounded.
