Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed uncertainty about the United States’ sincerity in upcoming diplomatic negotiations, following Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, just days before scheduled talks with U.S. officials.
In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Araghchi indicated that for negotiations to progress, it is crucial for the Trump administration to demonstrate a genuine commitment to pursuing a diplomatic solution.
The Iranian foreign minister further suggested that Washington might not genuinely seek diplomacy, insinuating that talks with Iran could be a facade to justify Israeli military actions against the country.
At a briefing on Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt conveyed a message from President Donald Trump, expressing that he would decide within the next two weeks whether to engage with Iran, given the potential for negotiations.
Leavitt’s statement pointed to the administration’s conditional approach, which has characterized Trump’s recent dealings, as he often sets short-term timelines that may not materialize.
The airstrikes carried out by Israel occurred just two days prior to a planned sixth round of negotiations involving U.S. and Iranian officials, along with intermediaries from Oman.
Despite the unfolding events, U.S. officials have maintained that the administration did not play a role in the Israeli military operation.
Araghchi remarked, “So they had perhaps this plan in their mind, and they just needed negotiations perhaps to cover it up. We don’t know how we can trust them anymore. What they did was, in fact, a betrayal to diplomacy.”
During his discussions held in Geneva with senior European diplomats, Araghchi emphasized that Iran remains open to negotiations, but only if Israel ceases its aerial attacks on Iran first.
He stated, “We’re not prepared to negotiate with them anymore, as long as the aggression continues.”
On the contentious issue of uranium enrichment—something President Trump has demanded Iran cease—Araghchi reiterated Iran’s stance, asserting that the country would not abandon its enrichment activities.
“I told him several times zero enrichment is impossible,” he said, asserting that every nation has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
Araghchi further emphasized that this capability is a point of national pride for Iran, reflecting its scientific advancements and technological achievements.
Reflecting on his interactions with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Araghchi acknowledged Witkoff’s commendable diplomatic demeanor but lamented his inconsistent messaging in their discussions.
“I think he is a gentleman, somebody you can work with, but unfortunately, he changed his words every time we met. So maybe that was because he couldn’t deliver what he promised to us,” Araghchi commented.
Despite the inconsistencies, he noted that channels of communication remain open between them, involving both direct and indirect messages to avoid misunderstandings.
However, he clarified that these communications do not equate to negotiations and stated that Iran would only engage in discussions when there is a mutual understanding rather than a dictatorial approach from the U.S.
On the topic of Israel’s potential bombings on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Araghchi asserted that such actions would not obliterate the foundational knowledge Iran has accumulated in its nuclear program.
“Suppose they destroy one facility or two,” he said. “We can rebuild them, because the knowledge is here, the technology is there. We have achieved that ourselves, and the technology cannot be reversed, cannot be destroyed by bombs.”
Araghchi also asserted that Iran reserves the right to retaliate should the United States decide to strike Iran in collaboration with Israel, echoing the symbiotic nature of warfare.
“When there is a war, both sides attack each other. That’s quite understandable. And self-defense is a legitimate right of every country,” he stated.
He elaborated that if the U.S. participated in attacks alongside Israel, Iran would reciprocate with retaliation.
In response to Israeli threats targeting Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Araghchi characterized such actions as unimaginably grave.
He asserted, “That would be the biggest crime they can commit,” expressing his disbelief in Israel’s perceived ability to execute such plans.
Khamenei, a central figure in Iran’s political landscape, has held power since 1989, overseeing the country’s trajectory amid longstanding tensions with the West.
Trump, acknowledging the location of the Iranian leader, has indicated a lack of intention to target Khamenei at this time.
Araghchi regarded Trump’s comments as more of an insult than a credible threat, voicing his astonishment at how a leader of a major power could degrade diplomatic language.
He noted, “We have always talked about President Trump respectfully,” and condemned the derogatory nature of his statements regarding Khamenei.
To foster a revival in negotiations between Iran and the United States, Araghchi posited that simple communication from Washington to Tel Aviv could halt the ongoing Israeli strikes, thereby creating an opportunity for diplomacy.
“I think if Americans are serious to go back to diplomacy, what it needs is only a telephone call from Washington to Tel Aviv to stop everything,” he said.
He further asserted, “They can stop this process very quickly, and then we will consider diplomacy once again.”
Amidst the backdrop of escalating tensions and potential conflict, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have pondered the possibility of an Iranian regime collapse due to the pressures of Israeli airstrikes.
However, Araghchi reflected on the endurance ingrained in the Iranian spirit, recalling the long conflict with Iraq following the 1979 revolution.
He stated, “We are a great nation. We have lived … for thousands of years in that place. We have never been a colony of any other power. We have been always independent.”
In his closing remarks, Araghchi encapsulated his sentiments on Iranian pride and resilience, asserting, “All those things cannot be bombed away.”
As a seasoned diplomat, Araghchi was among the key negotiators of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which sought to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for the relief of U.S. and international sanctions.
The U.S. under Trump’s administration withdrew from this accord, heightening tensions further between the two nations.
image source from：nbcnews
