Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: Our cooperation will take a new form

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with ambassadors, chargés d'affaires, and international representatives serving in the capital, Tehran. Speaking at the meeting, Araghchi thanked the countries that condemned the military attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear program, saying, "I am pleased that you are continuing your work in peace. We are grateful to all friendly countries that condemned the blatant attack on our peaceful nuclear facilities and offered condolences for our citizens who lost their lives."

"COOPERATION WILL TAKE A NEW FORM"

Emphasizing that Iran will remain committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Araghchi stated, "Our program has been peaceful and will remain so. We will also continue to adhere to the Safeguards Agreement signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Our cooperation with the IAEA has not been halted, but due to recent developments and realities on the ground, our cooperation with the agency will take a new form. This is a perfectly natural situation."

Araghchi stated that, within the framework of the law passed by the Iranian Parliament, all future cooperation with the IAEA will be conducted by the Supreme National Security Council, adding, "The agency's requests to conduct inspections in Iran and continue cooperation will be evaluated individually by the Council, and each request will be decided upon by taking security and safety conditions into account."

"WE WOULD HAVE DONE IT LONG AGO"

Pointing out that nuclear facilities have been subjected to military attacks, Araghchi said, "Approaching these facilities will now bring new and serious dangers. We are not satisfied with the IAEA's stance. The agency's report led to a purely political decision, and this situation became a pretext for military attacks on our nuclear facilities. However, if we had the intention to produce nuclear weapons, we would have done it long ago. Even though we have strong justifications today, we remain committed to Islamic and humanitarian principles."

"WE WANT GUARANTEES"

Stating that his country is always open to dialogue regarding its nuclear program, Araghchi said, "As in the past, we are open to negotiations regarding our nuclear program in the future as well. However, naturally, if such a process were to restart, guarantees must be provided that the process will not be dragged into war by the US or other countries this time."

"THERE IS NO SOLUTION"

Emphasizing that there is no other path than a solution based on consensus, Araghchi said, "The recent war has clearly shown this. Iran is ready to provide assurances to the other side. However, we also want to see that they are truly committed to diplomacy. Diplomacy should not be a cover for other goals."

"IT WILL BE LIMITED TO THE NUCLEAR ISSUE"

Araghchi stated, "If a negotiation process is to begin, within the framework of the conditions I have mentioned, the subject of these negotiations will be limited solely to the nuclear issue. The lifting of sanctions in exchange for providing assurances regarding Iran's nuclear program can be discussed; no other topic will be included in the scope of negotiations."

News Source: İHA