Zarif: Attack on Iran would mean 'all-out war'
Iranian officials have said that if the United States or Saudi Arabia strikes Iran over the recent attack on Saudi oil facilities, it is prepared to defend itself.
In a Sept. 19 interview on CNN, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said there would be “an all-out war” if the United States or Saudi Arabia launched a military strike against Iran. The comment made headlines across Iranian media.
During the interview, Zarif stated, “We don’t war. We don’t want to engage in a military confrontation.” He added, “A military confrontation based on deception is … awful, will have a lot of casualties. We won't blink to defend our territory.”
Since the Sept. 14 missile strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil facility that significantly shut down production, US and Saudi officials have attempted to pin blame on Iran despite Houthi rebels in Yemen claiming responsibility for the operation.
The Iranians have denied that they were behind the strikes, which US officials say involved drones and cruise missiles. With the United States continuing to focus on Iran, Zarif has gone on the offensive in interviews and online.
