Iran is "fully prepared" for a war to resume with the United States but remains open to diplomacy, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on NBC's Meet the Press on September 27. "We stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war," he said. "At the same time, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose."

The remarks followed Trump's rejection on September 26 of Iran's seven-day ceasefire proposal. The plan offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for unfreezing about $12 billion in Iranian assets, ending the US naval blockade and easing oil sanctions.

Araghchi said Tehran had still not received an official rejection through mediators, and called Trump's messages "contradictory". US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz described the Iranian offer as unacceptable and cynical, saying Washington could not hand over billions in frozen assets.

The Wall Street Journal reported Trump may seek to resume bombing Iran after the midterm elections. Araghchi stayed in New York after the UN General Assembly for further talks. Arab mediators are now pressing Tehran for nuclear concessions to revive ceasefire negotiations, the Journal reported.