Iran’s deputy foreign minister has warned the US it faces another Vietnam if it puts boots on the ground in the war.
Saeed Khatibzadeh, speaking in his office in Tehran, told me that Iran was willing to fight as long as needed and the country was not currently focused on a diplomatic solution.
The deputy FM was not ruling out negotiations but made it clear it was for America, and its allies, to come forward with a proposal that ends the conflict once and for all.
But, when asked about the possibility of US troops on the ground, his message for Donald Trump was clear: “Just read what happened in Vietnam.”
Iran war latest: Trump threatens NATO
American soldiers, he said, could face a similar fate in Iran: “They understand those that dragged them into this war can drag them also into a quagmire.”
His defiance comes after two weeks of devastating conflict that has left nearly 1,500 Iranians killed in the war with the US and Israel and millions of Iranians displaced.
It has also claimed nearly 1,000 non-Iranian lives. This includes at least 850 people killed in Lebanon, 30 in Iraq, 13 in the United Arab Emirates, six in Kuwait, 12 in Israel, four in Syria, two in Oman, two in Saudi Arabia, and two in Bahrain.
Thirteen US service members have also died, as well as one French soldier.
Watch Sky News’ full interview with Iran’s deputy foreign minister
Sky News is one of only a few foreign media organisations currently in Iran
Mr Khatibzadeh also blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dragging the US into the war.
“They should think twice when dealing with Iran and not take advice by those who don’t know Iran, who wanted for decades to win a war against Iran with American taxpayers and American soldiers’ blood.
“Netanyahu and the Israeli regime has its own agenda to make this war a win for them at the expense of everyone.”
Mr Khatibzadeh insists Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is healthy and in charge
As for the health of Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the deputy foreign minister insisted he was “healthy and in charge” despite him not making a public appearance yet.
