Avash News: Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in an interview with CNN on Sunday evening:
“I am confident that we can reach an agreement with the United States regarding the nuclear weapons program.”
Araghchi emphasized in the interview:
“Unfortunately, we have lost our trust in the United States as a negotiating partner, but the exchange of messages through friendly countries in the region facilitates positive negotiations with the United States.”
Responding to questions about Iran’s missile arsenal and the actions of Yemen’s Ansarullah in the region, the Iranian foreign minister said the focus should remain on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, adding:
“Let us not talk about impossible things and miss the opportunity to reach a fair and just agreement to ensure the absence of nuclear weapons. As I said, this is achievable even in a short period of time.”
While stressing that U.S. sanctions against Iran must be lifted, he stated:
“If negotiations fail, Iran is prepared for war.”
In response to a CNN reporter’s question about whether Iran would be willing to engage in direct talks with the United States if confidence were built, Araghchi said:
“Whether negotiations are direct or indirect is merely a matter of form; what matters more is the substance of the talks. We need trust. Perhaps full trust will never return, but a minimum level of trust is necessary. We are working with our friends in the region to find a way to create this level of trust and resume negotiations.”
Regarding claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who repeatedly says that “negotiations with Iran are underway,” the Iranian foreign minister said:
“This is happening through intermediaries. Some countries are conveying messages and trying to prepare the ground for real and meaningful negotiations. We are in contact with them, and messages are being exchanged.”
Asked about the quality of these exchanges, he added:
“I think so far, yes, they have been constructive.”
On whether negotiations would begin in the near future, Araghchi said:
“Yes, that is the goal. Of course, first we want our rights to be respected, and second, sanctions to be lifted. Sanctions were imposed due to concerns that our nuclear program might move toward weaponization. As far as we are concerned, this is not the case. However, we are prepared to build confidence regarding our peaceful nuclear program, and in return, we expect sanctions to be lifted.”
He concluded:
“As I said, if our right to enrichment is respected and we are able to continue enrichment for peaceful purposes, then all details are negotiable, and we can sit together in any format and reach an outcome. This is my belief.”
