Iran's position hasn't changed: they don't want war. They're just not afraid of one, either.

That's the warning from Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a University of Tehran professor and adviser close to Iran's negotiating team.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, today: "If Iran contests control of the Strait of Hormuz by the United States, we will obliterate them."

Marandi's response: "Iran is ready for war. Iran is ready for siege. It doesn't want war. It doesn't want siege warfare. But it's ready for it."

He says every time Iran has shown goodwill in the past, the U.S. read it as weakness and hit harder instead.

He thinks that pattern could be repeating now.

And says a return to escalation wouldn't just hurt Iran, it would tank the global economy.

Worth tuning in to this one...

@s_m_marandi