Americans know extent of Iran’s defensive power
“At the very least, the Americans know well how far the Islamic Republic of Iran’s defensive power can extend,” Abbas Araghchi said during a meeting with Algerian elites and media executives in the African country’s capital, Algiers, on Tuesday.
The top diplomat made it clear that Iran’s commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness, asserting, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek war, but if necessary, it knows well how to defend itself.”
He separately underscored, “We doubt the intentions of the US and are not certain they possess the will for a fair and serious negotiation, but we will test them.”
The latter comments concerned the prospect of indirect negotiations that are set to begin between Araghchi and the United States regional envoy Steve Witkoff in the Omani capital Muscat on Saturday, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi as mediator.
“If their demand is for Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons, that demand can be examined,” Araghchi said. “But if they have other objectives in mind, they may not achieve them,” he added.
In the same context, the official dismissed the West’s claims that the Islamic Republic was pursuing nuclear weapons, PressTV reported.
“The claim that Iran seeks nuclear weapons is a baseless accusation,” he said. “We are confident in the peaceful nature of our nuclear program and are prepared to address any concern or worry through diplomacy.”
The foreign minister reiterated his and other Iranian officials’ earlier remarks that direct negotiations with the United States were off the table as long as Washington retained its hostile posture.
“Negotiations must take place from a position of equality, fairness, and dignity, not under ‘maximum pressure’ and military threats,” he said.
“As long as ‘maximum pressure’ and threats continue, fair conditions for negotiation do not exist, and we will not engage in direct talks,” Araghchi stated, referring to the US’s way of sustaining and even ramping up its already illegal and unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic, while repeatedly threatening Tehran with military aggression.
Nonetheless, Iran has left the door open for diplomacy, Araghchi noted.
“The path of diplomacy is not closed, and we have announced that we are open to indirect negotiations with the US,” he said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the official warned that the Israeli regime was actively attempting to ignite broader regional conflict, pointing to Tel Aviv’s expansionist regional aggression, namely its war of genocide on the Gaza Strip as well as its escalated deadly aggression towards the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria.
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China calls on US to show ‘sincerity’ on Iranian nuclear issue
“As the country that unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and contributed to the current situation, the US should show political sincerity, uphold the spirit of mutual respect, engage in dialogue and consultation and stop the wrongdoing of threatening and exerting maximum pressure,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.
The statement from Beijing came after US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington would engage in direct “very high-level” talks with Iran about Tehran’s nuclear program, adding that the talks are “in Iran’s best interests.”
But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that the talks would be though a mediator.
“Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect high-level talks,” he wrote on X.
“It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.”
Russia, China and Iran held a two-day talk in Moscow on Iran’s nuclear program. Beijing hosted similar talks at the level of vice foreign ministerial level last month.
Beijing also encouraged a solution through political and diplomatic ways, “under the current situation, parties of the Iranian nuclear issue should make joint efforts, enhance dialogue and communication and avoid escalation,” said Lin.
“China will continue to maintain communication with relevant parties, promote peace talks and work for a diplomatic settlement that accommodates parties’ legitimate concerns so as to uphold the international non-proliferation regime and to keep the Middle East peaceful and stable,” he added.
Trump has threatened military action against Iran if a deal cannot be reached and repeated Monday that Tehran “is going to be in great danger” if the talks fail.
Source: Ifp Media Wire