Iran FM Araghchi: 'Zero restraint' if infrastructure struck again — Iran used only a 'fraction' of its power

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a major escalation warning on Thursday via social media, stating Iran had shown 'zero restraint' threshold if its infrastructure is struck again. He said Iran had used only a 'fraction' of its power and had shown restraint so far because it received requests for de-escalation. He did not identify who made those requests — likely Oman or European mediators who have sought to limit the conflict's scope. The statement is significant in two ways: (1) it signals that Iran is deliberately holding back greater force, directly contradicting Hegseth's claim that Iran's capabilities are degraded 90%+; (2) it reveals that back-channel de-escalation requests have been made, suggesting diplomatic contacts exist despite public positions. The 'zero restraint' framing directly mirrors IRGC threats made earlier in the war and signals the FM is now aligning with the hardline military posture.