Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any attack by Israel or the United States on Iran's nuclear facilities would plunge the region into a full-scale war.
In an interview with Al Jazeera during a visit to Qatar, he warned that launching a military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be "one of the biggest historical mistakes the US could make".
He said Iran would respond "immediately and decisively".
We recall that concerns have grown in Iran that US President Donald Trump may authorize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Netanyahu to attack Iran's nuclear sites while further tightening US sanctions during his second term in office.
Araghchi said he met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha to discuss key regional issues.
"We strongly welcome Qatar's mediation role in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, Araghchi said. I hope that all other issues will be ironed out."
He also met with Hamas representatives and said the Palestinians had achieved "victory" in Gaza, despite the devastation of Israel's war on the enclave.
"Despite all the killing and destruction that the whole world has witnessed, the Palestinian people stood their ground and defended their values and principles. I believe this is a victory, he said. The Israeli occupation forces did everything in their power to eliminate "Hamas" and free their prisoners, but at the end of the day they were forced to sit down and negotiate with "Hamas". This is a victory for "Hamas", he added.
We recall that earlier this week he criticized the US president for suggesting "cleansing" the Palestinians from Gaza. Iran's top diplomat suggested instead that the Israelis be sent to Greenland.
The war in Gaza has killed at least 47,460 Palestinians, mainly women and children, and injured 111,580 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people have been killed in Israel during the "Hamas"-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken prisoner.
More hostages are due to be released on Saturday.
During his first term in office, Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, which had limited Tehran's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian and peaceful purposes. However, since Trump abandoned the deal, the Islamic Republic has returned to enriching uranium to levels that have no other purpose than to create a nuclear weapon.
Trump hinted that he would prefer a diplomatic solution and noted that a new agreement with Iran would be "nice".
Araghchi, however, pointed out that while he was ready to listen to the US president, it would take much more than that to convince Iran that it should start negotiations with the US for a new deal, given what happened with the first one.
"The situation is different and much more difficult than the last time", he noted. "A lot needs to be done on the other side to buy our trust. We have heard nothing but "nice" words and that is clearly not enough".
The foreign minister also mocked Trump's recent comments on the Middle East. The US president-elect's proposal to clear Gaza of Palestinians has sparked outrage across the region.
Araghchi mocked the idea, suggesting: "Instead of the Palestinians, try to expel the Israelis, take them to Greenland, that way you will kill two birds with one stone".