Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has dismissed the suggestion of a rapid resumption of negotiations with the United States, following remarks from President Donald Trump indicating potential talks as early as this week.
In an interview with CBS Evening News, Araghchi emphasized that Iran requires guarantees against military attacks before considering re-engagement in discussions, particularly in light of recent US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities.
“In order for us to decide to reengage, we would have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations,” Araghchi stated.
The backdrop to this diplomatic standoff is the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful; however, both the US and Israel are concerned that Tehran is pursuing the capability to develop nuclear weapons.
The recent call for dialogue comes from the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers, who are urging a return to negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
This dialogue has become increasingly complicated since military actions in June, when Israel targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, to which the US later contributed bombing campaigns against Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Following these attacks, Araghchi highlighted Iran’s determination to rebuild its nuclear program, countering Trump’s claim that the bombings had severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“One cannot obliterate the technology and science for enrichment through bombings,” Araghchi told CBS.
He asserted that if Iran is committed, it could restore its nuclear advancements relatively quickly, despite the destruction caused by recent attacks.
Since the US and Israeli strikes, Iran has suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicating a significant rift due to what they describe as the agency chief’s “destructive” behavior toward Iran.
Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from Tehran, noted that tensions with the IAEA are escalating.
“The Iranians are stating they will only allow inspectors to return once they secure the nuclear sites that have been bombed,” Serdar reported.
Meanwhile, G7 foreign ministers have expressed their support for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, stressing the importance of ongoing negotiations to address Iran’s nuclear program comprehensively.
They called for a resumption of talks that would lead to a verifiable agreement addressing the issue at hand.
In a continuation of diplomatic efforts, the group underscored the need for all involved parties to refrain from actions that could exacerbate instability in the region.
As the situation remains fluid, the prospect for renewed dialogue between Iran and the US seems distant, with both sides holding firmly to their respective positions on nuclear capabilities and security assurances.
image source from：aljazeera
