"We are waiting for them," Araghchi said of the upcoming U.S. ground invasion. "Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them."

Iran receiving the backing of Russia bolsters its ability to fight the U.S. and Israel, just like the U.S./E.U. backing of Ukraine allows it to fight Russia.

On Friday it was reported that Russia is providing Iran with targeting intelligence to help it strike U.S. forces, just as the U.S. is doing for Ukraine to strike Russian forces.

Iran has remained steadfast in its willingness to fight, which should have been clear to Washington based on their experience with Tehran last year.

"We didn't ask for a cease-fire even last time," Araghchi said, referring to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025 which was ended by a Trump-announced cease-fire. "It was Israel who asked for a cease-fire. They asked for an unconditional cease-fire after 12 days that we resisted against their aggression."

Iran's top security official Ali Larijani said that the Islamic Republic is no longer willing to negotiate with the U.S. after it went to war against it. Notably, negotiations were going on when Israel dragged the U.S. into war.

"The fact is that we don't have any positive experience of negotiating with the United States. You know, especially with this administration. We negotiated twice last year and this year, and then in the middle of negotiations, they attacked us," Araghchi said. "So we see no reason why we should engage once again with those who have, who are not honest in negotiation, and they don't and do not enter into negotiation in good faith."

While Trump insinuated that the war may go on forever, the narrative consistently changes and differs based on when it's asked and who is asked.

Trump said Thursday that the war's completion has no timetable.

"I have no time limits on anything," Trump said. "I want to get it done."

U.S. sources report that the war will go on until September.

Directly following the Israeli/U.S. strikes against Iran on Saturday Trump said that the operation should continue "throughout the week or, as long as necessary."

On Sunday he announced that the operation will last four to five weeks.

On Wednesday Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the Iran war will could last up to eight weeks.