TOKYO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran is seeking "not a ceasefire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war," according to Kyodo News.

This file picture shows Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi speaking at a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

In a telephone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi described the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as "an illegal, unprovoked act of aggression," calling on the international community to take a stand against the attacks.

The foreign minister noted that while several countries are attempting to mediate an end to the conflict, Iran has rejected calls for a temporary truce, insisting that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks as well as compensation for the damage inflicted during the conflict.

Araghchi added that while diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the United States has yet to demonstrate its readiness for a genuine resolution.

The report also noted that Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments, and that negotiations with Japan on the issue are ongoing.