Former R&AW Chief Vikram Sood on Friday stated that the war between the US-Israel vs Iran may last longer than the United States anticipated, adding that Iran is retaliating and is "willing to die," unlike America. Sood, who served in the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) from 2000 to 2003, underscored Iranian are playing a different game where they are actively knocking on the doors of its American allies. 

Notably, he was pointing fingers at the recent attack by Iran on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, where the Iranian missile target multiple US bases and luxury hotels. On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview categorically asserted Tehran would not negotiate with the US. In fact, speaking to NBC News, Aragchi said Iran was confident it could confront American forces if Washington launched a ground operation.

"It's difficult to say how long it will take, but I think it would last longer than what the Americans thought it would because they were hoping for a short, sharp strike and out. But the Iranians are playing a different game," he said.

"They are knocking off America's allies, which is creating unrest among them against America. Remember, the Iranians are willing to die, but the Americans are not willing to die," he told ANI.

Sood said Americans fear the bodies are coming home from the war-torn regions. Recently, Pentagon released the names of six American soldiers killed during the conflict.

"No option but to engage"

Earlier today, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh asserted that Tehran has "no option" but to engage in a "heroic nationalist defence" against what he termed an American and Israeli "invasion," vowing that the nation will resist to the "last bullet" and "last soldier."

"I think the priority right now is for Iran to exercise the ultimate resistance against the aggressor. We are under attack, under invasion by Americans and Israelis, and they are trying to impose maximum damage on Iran. As we are speaking, my fellow citizens are under constant attack by carpet-bombing, which is happening by Americans and Israelis. Tehran is under constant attack, and we have no option but to resist to the last bullet that we have and to the last soldier that we have," he stated.

Conflict as a necessary stand: Khatibzadeh 

The Deputy Foreign Minister characterised the conflict as a necessary stand against external atrocities.

"This is a very heroic, very nationalistic battle for us, and we have to stop the aggressor and their atrocities in Iran. What is important is that everybody is supporting international law, and we hope that we are not cherry-picking international law. Now, international law is under attack, as well as Iran. Unfortunately, the principles of international law have been attacked, and we have to stand together against these atrocities," Khatibzadeh told ANI.

This comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iranian territory resulted in the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, prompting a fierce response from Tehran.

In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks across multiple Arab countries as the conflict now entered its seventh day.

Tehran responded with counter-strikes targeting American military bases and other Israeli assets across the region.

(With inputs from agency)