In a defiant statement, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has asserted that the Islamic Republic is prepared for both diplomacy and conflict, striking a firm posture amid renewed allegations of U.S. interest in talks.
The top diplomat made the remarks on Wednesday following a high-profile trip to China with President Pezeshkian. “We have no fear of negotiations, just as we have no fear of war,” Araghchi stated, emphasizing Iran’s dual readiness.
The comments arrive as the United States has signaled a potential desire to enter new negotiations with Tehran. However, Iranian officials remain deeply skeptical, citing a history of American “betrayals.” Specifically, they point to the U.S.’s illegal unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, the JCPOA, under the previous Trump administration.
Further eroding trust, Araghchi highlighted the current U.S. administration’s provision of “unprecedented political, military, and intelligence support” to Israel during its recent war on Iran and Washington’s direct involvement by attacking Iranian nuclear sites.
Beyond the U.S. stance, the Foreign Minister addressed a pressing European threat. He revealed that joint initiatives are underway with Russia and China to counter European efforts to invoke the JCPOA’s “snapback” mechanism, which would reinstating all previous UN sanctions on Iran.
Araghchi condemned the move by the UK, France, and Germany as “illegal and lacking legitimacy,” noting that it contradicts their own failure to honor their JCPOA commitments after the American withdrawal. He accused the European trio of endorsing the recent Israeli-American aggression and enabling an anti-Iran resolution at the IAEA.
Regarding the presidential visit, Araghchi hailed President Pezeshkian’s trip to China as “one of the most important in our history.” He stated that the president’s participation in a Chinese military parade sent a clear message of solidarity with Beijing and opposition to the warmongering tendencies of world powers.
Source: Iranian and Israeli media (edited and translated by Al-Manar English website)
