Mehdi Taj drew the distinction while speaking to Iran's Fars news agency in response to President Donald Trump's warning that Iran should skip the World Cup "for their own life and safety."
Taj affirmed Iran intends to compete despite the war in the Middle East, which broke out in February when the US and Israel targeted Iran with airstrikes that killed the longtime supreme leader Ali Khameini.
The Iranians are attempting to negotiate with FIFA for the relocation of three group fixtures in June earmarked for the West Coast, two in California and one in Seattle.
Iran could meet the US in a round-of-32 match in Arlington, Texas, on July 3.
Mexico is willing to host Iran's matches, President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters this week.
"Yes. Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world. Therefore, we will wait to see what FIFA decides," Sheinbaum said.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he wanted the tournament to proceed "as scheduled" following a FIFA council meeting on Thursday.
But he reiterated after FIFA's ruling council met that it will not grant Iranian requests to move the team's three World Cup group games to Mexico.
"We have a schedule," Infantino said about the World Cup fixtures announced in December, adding: "We want the FIFA World Cup to go ahead as scheduled."
