Iran open to discussions on its nuclear initiative if approached with 'respect,' says Foreign Minister
Iran has expressed its willingness to negotiate regarding its nuclear program, emphasizing that any discussions should be “dignified” and not a waste of time, according to Tehran. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the increasing sanctions imposed by Washington on Tehran will lead to heightened resistance from Iran.
In an interview with the Tasnim news agency, published on Thursday, Araghchi conveyed that while Iran is open to negotiating its nuclear program, it seeks to avoid discussions that would lead nowhere. The success of such negotiations relies on the US and its allies treating the Islamic Republic with respect, he emphasized.
The minister described Iran’s nuclear program as entirely peaceful and expressed the country's readiness to engage in discussions addressing any international concerns, provided that it does not impose limitations on itself as long as its activities remain within peaceful development parameters.
“We operate within that scope. Those who have concerns are welcome to come forward so we can discuss and negotiate to address their worries,” he stated.
Araghchi also cautioned that sanctions tactics would prove ineffective against the Islamic Republic, specifically criticizing the “maximum pressure” strategy implemented by the US during President Donald Trump’s first term.
“The more they impose sanctions and pressure on Iran, the more Iran will show resistance,” he remarked, urging Western nations to approach his country with dignity. “If they opt for the course of fair, just and dignified negotiations and speak with the language of respect, we will speak that language as well.”
Furthermore, Araghchi noted that the US and its allies seem to interpret strength as the primary means of communication. He believes that Iran's missile capabilities compel the West to engage in talks rather than resort to military action.
“I have said many times and firmly believe that if it weren’t for our missile capabilities, no one would be negotiating with us,” he explained to Tasnim. “If they could destroy our nuclear facilities with a military strike, why would they bother sitting down with us for over two years to negotiate? … The reason is that they did not have the capability to militarily eliminate our facilities.”
For a long time, Iran’s uranium enrichment activities have been viewed by the West as clandestine efforts to develop nuclear weapons, a claim that Tehran has consistently denied. In 2015, the country reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with world powers, which constrained its nuclear program in exchange for partial sanctions relief.
However, in 2018, the US unilaterally exited the agreement under Trump, prompting Iran to enhance its enrichment capabilities, while attempts to restore the deal have stalled. Recently, Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed concern over Iran’s accelerated uranium enrichment, which has now reached up to 60% purity.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
In an interview with the Tasnim news agency, published on Thursday, Araghchi conveyed that while Iran is open to negotiating its nuclear program, it seeks to avoid discussions that would lead nowhere. The success of such negotiations relies on the US and its allies treating the Islamic Republic with respect, he emphasized.
The minister described Iran’s nuclear program as entirely peaceful and expressed the country's readiness to engage in discussions addressing any international concerns, provided that it does not impose limitations on itself as long as its activities remain within peaceful development parameters.
“We operate within that scope. Those who have concerns are welcome to come forward so we can discuss and negotiate to address their worries,” he stated.
Araghchi also cautioned that sanctions tactics would prove ineffective against the Islamic Republic, specifically criticizing the “maximum pressure” strategy implemented by the US during President Donald Trump’s first term.
“The more they impose sanctions and pressure on Iran, the more Iran will show resistance,” he remarked, urging Western nations to approach his country with dignity. “If they opt for the course of fair, just and dignified negotiations and speak with the language of respect, we will speak that language as well.”
Furthermore, Araghchi noted that the US and its allies seem to interpret strength as the primary means of communication. He believes that Iran's missile capabilities compel the West to engage in talks rather than resort to military action.
“I have said many times and firmly believe that if it weren’t for our missile capabilities, no one would be negotiating with us,” he explained to Tasnim. “If they could destroy our nuclear facilities with a military strike, why would they bother sitting down with us for over two years to negotiate? … The reason is that they did not have the capability to militarily eliminate our facilities.”
For a long time, Iran’s uranium enrichment activities have been viewed by the West as clandestine efforts to develop nuclear weapons, a claim that Tehran has consistently denied. In 2015, the country reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with world powers, which constrained its nuclear program in exchange for partial sanctions relief.
However, in 2018, the US unilaterally exited the agreement under Trump, prompting Iran to enhance its enrichment capabilities, while attempts to restore the deal have stalled. Recently, Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed concern over Iran’s accelerated uranium enrichment, which has now reached up to 60% purity.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
