Message from Iran on nuclear deal

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared details of his interview with CNN via his official Telegram account. While Araghchi gave clear messages regarding the recent rise in military tensions between Iran and the US, he left the door open for dialogue on the nuclear program.

Stating that they are seeking various ways to resume negotiations with regional countries and the US, Araghchi said, "President Trump said there should be no nuclear weapons, and we completely agree with him. It is only possible to reach an agreement in the nuclear field. We can negotiate about our nuclear program to ensure that our nuclear program is entirely peaceful. In return, we expect the lifting of sanctions. However, we need trust. A minimum level of trust is absolutely necessary."

Araghchi stated that Iran's nuclear program has never had military objectives, reminding that his country enriches uranium solely for peaceful purposes and that all details are open to international oversight.

Minister Araghchi also pointed out that the US withdrawal in 2018 from the nuclear deal signed in 2015 with the US, China, Russia, the UK, France, and Germany led to a deep crisis of trust. "The US withdrew from the deal without providing a justification. Last year, we were attacked at a time when we had decided to negotiate. For this reason, we have lost our trust in the US," he said.

MILITARY TENSION BETWEEN IRAN AND THE US

Evaluating the recent escalation of tension between Iran and the US, Araghchi expressed that they are prepared for war but that war is not inevitable: "In my opinion, war is not inevitable and can be prevented. The best way to prevent war is to be prepared for war. Being prepared for war does not mean we want to fight; on the contrary, it means we avoid war. My biggest concern is military operations based on misinformation and miscalculations in these matters."

Araghchi also claimed that various elements are trying to drag the US into a war, stating that in this process, President Trump is "smart enough to make the right decision."

Emphasizing that the entire region would be seriously affected in the event of a possible Iran-US war, the Iranian Foreign Minister underscored that they are making efforts to prevent the tension from spreading in the conflicts with Israel. Araghchi stated that in the event of a war with the US, the conflict could escalate significantly due to the presence of American bases in the region.

Giving the green light for US firms to operate in Iran, Araghchi stated that the regional economy could revive if an agreement is reached. "There is no problem from our side regarding US companies operating in various fields in Iran. The party causing problems in this regard is the US, because they do not allow their own companies to work in Iran," he noted, signaling openness to economic cooperation.

News Source: 12punto