Saednews:The Iranian Foreign Minister, emphasizing Iran’s legitimate right to a peaceful nuclear program, stated that if the U.S. government wants to demonstrate its seriousness about diplomacy, it must put an end to the Zionist regime’s aggressive attacks.
According to Saednews, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, said in an interview that Iran will never agree to zero enrichment, and the Zionist regime must stop its aggressive attacks before any resumption of negotiations with the U.S.
NBC News wrote that during his trip to Geneva to meet with his European counterparts, Araghchi said that after Israel’s airstrikes just days before the planned talks with U.S. officials, Iran does not know whether it can trust the U.S. in diplomatic negotiations.
NBC News reported that in response to Andrea Mitchell’s question about whether reaching an agreement within two weeks — according to the recent timeline announced by U.S. President Donald Trump — is possible, Araghchi said it depends on whether the Trump administration demonstrates “their will to reach a negotiated solution.”
However, the Iranian foreign minister stated that perhaps Washington has no real desire for diplomacy and is merely using the talks as a “cover” for Israel’s airstrikes.
The Zionist regime’s aggressive attack on Iran’s nuclear, military, and residential sites began at dawn on June 13, 2025 (23 Khordad 1404), resulting in the martyrdom of several military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.
Iran’s armed forces continue their successful operation “Vadeh Sadegh 3” to repel the Zionist aggressor’s invasion, delivering a decisive response to this aggression.
This aggression occurred on the eve of the sixth round of indirect Tehran-Washington talks in Muscat, mediated by Oman, to resolve Iran’s nuclear program issue and lift sanctions. According to many analysts and officials, the timing of the Zionist regime’s clear aggression aimed to derail the diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington.
Josep Borrell, former head of the EU External Action Service, said that the Israeli attack aimed to sabotage the diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington.
Meanwhile, Israel seeks to draw the U.S., which was aware of and fully supported the aggression, into direct military involvement in this war. Washington’s mixed signals regarding its intention to intervene militarily contrast with the possibility of advancing diplomatic talks with Iran.
Iranian officials have warned of a firm response to any third-party involvement in the conflict.
Real negotiation or dictation
NBC News wrote that Araghchi said: “Perhaps they had this plan in mind and needed negotiations to hide it. We now know how not to trust them. What they did was a betrayal of diplomacy.”
Emphasizing the necessity of halting the Zionist regime’s aggressive attacks on Iran before any talks, Araghchi said: “As long as this aggression continues, we are not willing to negotiate with them (the U.S.).”
The Iranian foreign minister defended Iran’s legitimate right to a peaceful nuclear program, stating Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment as requested by Trump, a position he openly conveyed to Steve Witkoff, the senior negotiator for the U.S. president.
He said, “I have repeatedly told him zero enrichment is impossible. Every country has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.”
He added, “This is the achievement of our scientists. It is a matter of our pride and national dignity.”
Regarding Witkoff, who headed the U.S. negotiating team in indirect Tehran-Washington talks, Araghchi said: “I think he is a respectable person. You can work with him, but unfortunately, every time we met, his statements changed. Perhaps because he could not deliver what he promised us.”
He continued: “There is distrust between us now because he did not fulfill his promises and did not stick to what he said we could achieve.”
However, Araghchi said he and Witkoff remain in contact.
He explained: “We exchange direct and indirect messages. We have clarified our positions to avoid misunderstandings.”
Yet, he said, “This does not mean negotiation. They asked us to negotiate, but we will negotiate only when it is real negotiation, not dictation.”
NBC News also reported Araghchi said that bombing Iran’s atomic facilities did not destroy Iran’s technical knowledge that it has gained in its nuclear program.
He stated: “Even if they destroy one or two of our facilities, we can rebuild them because our knowledge and technology are intact. We achieved them ourselves, and technical knowledge cannot be destroyed by bombs.”
U.S. involvement in Israel’s aggression
The U.S. media reported Araghchi said that if Trump decides for the U.S. to launch a military attack on Iran, Iran’s government will have the right to retaliate just as it defends against the Zionist regime.
Araghchi said: “When a war breaks out, both sides attack each other; that is completely understandable. The right to self-defense is a fundamental right of every country.”
He added: “If the U.S. joins Israel in these attacks, we will do the same.”
Responding to questions about Israeli threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Araghchi said such an act would be the greatest crime they could commit but that they would not be able to carry it out.
He pointed out that “millions of people, not only in Iran but also in other countries, follow our Supreme Leader.”
Asked if Trump’s statements about knowing the Supreme Leader’s whereabouts but not having a plan to target him “at least for now” are a threat, Araghchi said: “I mostly consider it an insult. I’m surprised how the president of this so-called superpower can speak like that. We have always spoken respectfully about President Trump.”
He added: “Certainly, the way he talks about our respected leader is unacceptable.”
Conditions for resuming Tehran-Washington talks
The U.S. media reported that the Iranian foreign minister said for talks between Iran and the U.S. to resume, Washington only needs to tell Israel to stop airstrikes on Iran.
Araghchi said: “I think if the Americans are serious about returning to diplomacy, the only thing they need to do is a phone call from Washington to Tel Aviv to stop everything.”
He said: “They can quickly stop this process, and then we will reconsider diplomacy.”
Iran, cradle of civilization, has always been independent; Trump should understand Iranian pride and dignity
NBC News pointed out that Trump and Netanyahu have made speeches about the possible collapse of Iran’s government due to Israeli attacks. Araghchi said that shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran endured a long war and will remain standing in the current conflict as well.
The Iranian foreign minister said Iranians have a long history of independence and hopes the U.S. president “understands Iranians and our pride and dignity.”
He said: “We are a great nation. We have lived there for thousands of years. We have never been a colony of another country. We have always had independence.”
Araghchi added: “We are the cradle of civilization, Iranian civilization. So all these things cannot be destroyed by bombing.”
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