SAEDNEWS: Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that Iran is conditionally ready to resume indirect talks with the United States but warned that any aggressive action will receive a stronger response than in the past.
“According to Saed News qouting ISNA, Seyed Abbas Araghchi,” Iran’s Foreign Minister, told a Saudi newspaper that Tehran is prepared to resume nuclear negotiations with Washington, provided guarantees are received that no military action will be taken against Iran.
The Iranian Foreign Minister said that the U.S. “will not achieve in any negotiation what it could not achieve through military attacks on nuclear facilities.”
Araghchi, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat after attending an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers in Jeddah on support for Gaza and Palestine, did not rule out a potential new confrontation with Israel, adding: “Anything is possible, and Tehran is ready for all conditions.”
Regarding Iran-Saudi relations, he emphasized: “Bilateral relations are at an unprecedented stage of cooperation. Saudi Arabia is a major country in the region and the Islamic world and, along with Iran, forms one of the two main regional poles. Cooperation between the two countries guarantees regional security and stability.”
On Lebanon, the Foreign Minister stated: “We do not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs, but, like other countries, we express our views and opinions. The issue of Hezbollah’s weapons concerns Hezbollah and the Lebanese government itself, and any plan to disarm it is 100 percent an Israeli plot.”
Responding to a question about threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said: “Iran’s official policy is completely clear. We seek calm and peace in the Persian Gulf. Iran is a major oil producer and exporter, and its economy depends on it. Therefore, it is natural that we want freedom of navigation for everyone.”
The full text of this interview is as follows:
Iran’s Foreign Minister said that the meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries on the developments in Gaza, convened at the request of Iran, Palestine, and Turkey, resulted in positive statements from the foreign ministers as well as the adoption of important decisions.
He emphasized that the crucial point is: “The people of Gaza do not need our statements and decisions; more than anything, they need practical support on the ground. They need food, water, and medicine first and foremost, and then peace, justice, and an end to the occupation.”
Referring to his speech at the meeting, he added: “In my speech, I emphasized that Islamic countries must take practical steps, and countries that have relations with the Zionist regime should sever these ties and halt trade exchanges, as this is a practical step that can be taken forward.”
He continued: “Islamic countries should also have a unified voice in international forums, organizations, and courts to condemn the Zionist regime. Naturally, more than 50 Islamic countries and over a billion Muslims have significant capabilities that can be used to support Gaza and Palestine.”
Araghchi emphasized that Tehran remains ready to enter “fair and equitable” negotiations regarding its nuclear program. He noted that discussions are currently underway with three European countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to establish a new framework for negotiations.
He stated: “We are ready for indirect talks with the United States, provided the Americans assure us that no military attacks will occur during the negotiations. We must be certain that when they come to the negotiating table, it is for fair and equitable dialogue that secures the interests of both sides and is based on mutual benefits. But if they think they can achieve through negotiation what they failed to achieve through military attacks, these talks will not take place.”
He added: “We have never abandoned the negotiating table. Even while in the midst of negotiations, Israel attacked us, and the United States joined. Therefore, any new negotiations—if they occur—will not be like before. I have repeatedly emphasized that our position on indirect talks with the U.S. has not changed.”
In response to a question about recent regional tensions and whether Iran and Israel are on the verge of a new confrontation, the Foreign Minister said: “Anything is possible, and we are ready for all circumstances. Israel and the United States did not achieve any of their objectives during the 12-day war, while the Islamic Republic resisted heroically and responded simultaneously to aggression. We continued our missile attacks against Israel until the last moment, even though they thought they could stop it within 48 hours.”
He continued: “After 12 days, it was Israel that requested an unconditional ceasefire, and because it was unconditional, we accepted. If they want to repeat this scenario, we are ready. But the experience of the 12-day war showed that the military option is not a successful one but a failed one. Therefore, it is unlikely they will repeat such an experience, but if they do, they will face a similar, if not stronger, response.”
Regarding regional developments, he said: “Recent events in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as the attack on Iran, have confirmed to the entire region that the main enemy is the Zionist regime.” He added: “I believe everyone has realized that the regime that threatens the entire region and seeks to keep it weak, scattered, and divided is the Zionist regime. In the recent attack, all regional countries, without exception, stood alongside Iran and condemned this regime and even the U.S. attack.”
About relations with regional countries, he stressed: “Over the past year and since the new government took office in Iran, we have made significant efforts to build trust with regional countries. A similar effort existed during the previous government, but we have accelerated the process in the current administration. Personally, over the past year, I met twice with the Saudi Crown Prince and participated once in his meeting with Iran’s First Vice President. Holding three meetings in one year is unprecedented in the history of the two countries’ relations.”
He added: “We have also resumed relations with other regional countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, and our ties are now closer. Although diplomatic relations with Egypt are not at the highest level, the number of phone calls I had with my Egyptian counterpart exceeds my calls with other regional ministers, and we have also had direct meetings. In my recent meetings, it became clear to me that regional countries have gained more trust in the Islamic Republic, recognized their main enemy, and have real concerns about the threats of the Zionist regime, and we will continue to advance along this path.”
In response to a question about elevating relations to a higher level with Cairo, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “Like any two normal governments, we have relations and cooperation, but officially raising diplomatic relations between the two countries requires the right timing, and we are in no rush. The embassies in Tehran and Cairo currently operate under the title ‘Interest Office,’ and each of their officials holds the rank of ambassador. I recently had dinner with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, and we talked for more than two hours.”
Regarding comments such as threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi clarified that “these statements did not come from Iranian officials but from ordinary individuals or journalists who have no responsibility. Iranian society is open, and any statement can be heard there. If you follow Iranian television, you will see nightly debates between someone advocating closing the Strait of Hormuz and someone opposing it.”
He added: “The official policy of the Islamic Republic is entirely clear; we seek peace and stability in the Persian Gulf, and the reason is obvious. Iran, like Saudi Arabia and other regional countries, is an oil-producing and exporting country, and its economy largely depends on oil. Therefore, it is natural that we seek peace in the Persian Gulf, free navigation for all ships, and normal, unobstructed maritime traffic.”
Araghchi revealed in the interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that “during the 12-day war, when the Zionist regime targeted our oil facilities in Assaluyeh, we realized that it intended to drag the war into the Persian Gulf and start a ‘oil war’ there, but we targeted Israeli facilities and did everything possible to prevent the war from spreading to the Gulf.”
He said: “I think the Gulf coastal countries should focus their concern on Israel’s policies, which could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the war spreading to the region.”
When asked about recent statements by Iran’s Defense Minister regarding building military infrastructure in foreign countries, Araghchi smiled and said: “Do you really think I should answer such a question?! If further explanation was needed, the Defense Minister himself should have provided it.”
Regarding Lebanon, Araghchi stated: “We do not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs, but this does not prevent us from expressing our views and positions, which all countries do. For example, Saudi Arabia expresses its opinion about Lebanon, and this is not considered interference. True interference comes from a party that occupies Lebanese territory or presents bizarre plans to weaken and subjugate Lebanon.”
He added: “However, the decision regarding Hezbollah’s weapons belongs to the movement itself, and Hezbollah has proposed holding a national dialogue to determine Lebanon’s security strategy with the participation of all groups. We are certain of one truth: Israel wants all countries in the region to be weak, unarmed, fragmented, and in conflict.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister continued: “Look at Syria: a new government, completely different from Bashar al-Assad’s government, has been formed, but if we compare, we see that Israel has occupied a larger portion of Syrian territory and bombed the new government’s military capabilities to the point that no effective tanks or forces remain. This is the scenario Israel wants to implement in Lebanon as well (and the resistance’s weapons countered it). Although the resistance has been hit and damaged in recent months and they think it is weakened, this is why they want to disarm it. But Hezbollah’s disarmament is a 100% Israeli plan, and I emphasize that the decision in this regard belongs to Hezbollah itself, the Lebanese government, and the Lebanese people, and we only express our opinion.”
Araghchi also expressed hope that “other countries in the region understand this reality and do not doubt that what happened in Syria and Lebanon could happen to them as well. The enemies tried to target Iran, but Iran resisted, and they regretted their actions. How did Iran resist? Not through diplomacy or dialogue with the United States, but with its missiles. Whoever shows strength against Israel succeeds, not those who back down. We advise the countries of the region not to give concessions to Israel, because the more concessions are given, the bolder Israel becomes. As we see today, it speaks about the ‘Grand Israeli Plan,’ and Netanyahu’s recent statements show its ambition in other countries of the region.”
He said: “The Saudis are our religious brothers. Annually, more than 80,000 Iranians perform Hajj, and around 400,000 perform Umrah. We hope Saudi tourists will also come to Iran and see our country firsthand. Cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia benefits the entire Islamic world.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized: “There are many opportunities for economic cooperation. Our trade volume with one regional country reaches $30 billion; therefore, we can reach a similar level with Saudi Arabia. Iran offers great potential for Saudi investors, especially in oil, gas, and other industries.”
Araghchi concluded: “I am always optimistic. If cooperation among regional countries, especially between Iran and Saudi Arabia, is strengthened, we will witness a stable and advanced region. This is also the goal of Iran’s diplomacy.”
