Speaking with Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines documentary program, Araghchi stressed that Iran remains fully prepared for any situation amid speculation that Israel may attack the country again.

The exclusive interview, recorded in October and released on Tuesday, focused on Iran’s nuclear issue, which remains unresolved following the US-Israeli attacks and political pressure by Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—including their move in August to trigger the snapback mechanism under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and restore UN Security Council sanctions lifted under the accord.

Israel launched its war of aggression against Iran on June 13, two days before a scheduled new round of talks between Iranian and US negotiators to reach a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. Israel bombed residential areas, military and nuclear sites, and assassinated nuclear scientists and top military officials. The US entered the war by bombing three major nuclear facilities, two days ahead of a ceasefire that halted the 12-day conflict. Iran responded powerfully by launching missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets, and an American airbase in Qatar.

Foreign Minister Araghchi described speculation about a new attack as part of psychological warfare aimed at creating fear among the Iranian people.

“We also hear frequently that the Israeli regime might again launch an attack. I should make two points: first, psychological warfare is part of real warfare, and it appears they are currently focusing on psychological warfare, trying to create fear and unrest inside the country that itself is part of a broader war they wish to wage against Iran,” he said, according to Al Jazeera’s translation of the Persian interview.

The minister added that the Iranian people are “accustomed to” psychological warfare, noting that the US and Israel have threatened Iran with military action for years and failed to achieve their objectives during the 12-day conflict in June.

“Both the Americans and the Israeli regime know that the previous war, the 12-day episode, was a failed experience. Meaning that, in fact, they failed to achieve their objectives, and if you repeat an experience you have already tried, you will get the same result.”

However, Araghchi stressed that Iran is not “ignoring the possibility of war” and remains prepared for any scenario, while preferring diplomacy over conflict.

“We are fully prepared; our armed forces and our people are ready to defend the country under any circumstances. That does not mean we seek war. We certainly prefer to resolve matters through diplomacy. Diplomacy is our priority, but we are prepared for any other situation,” he said, emphasizing that military action cannot stop Iran’s nuclear program.

“Iran’s nuclear issue does not have a military solution. You may destroy buildings or damage equipment, but technology cannot be eliminated by bombing or military attacks. Knowledge cannot be taken out of minds by bombs. Even if some scientists are assassinated, others remain to continue the technology. Above all, the will of a nation cannot be extinguished by bombardment.”

Sanctions cannot stop Iran’s nuclear program either, Araghchi said, noting that they have failed to do so over the past years. “There is no way other than a negotiated, diplomatic solution to address the existing issues, and ultimately, they will be compelled to pursue that path.”

The top diplomat added that Iran pursued diplomacy even after the 12-day war, but those efforts failed due to what he described as excessive demands from the US and the E3, as well as their push to restore UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

“They were the ones who made extravagant demands and chose the snapback route, which is a very wrong path and will lead to harsher outcomes,” he said, adding elsewhere that the snapback move “was a blow to diplomacy because it did not solve the fundamental problem, and in fact, made it harder and more complex.”

Araghchi concluded by saying that Iran remains ready for negotiations whenever the other sides “are prepared to negotiate from a position of equality, mutual respect, and with the aim of achieving mutual benefit.”