Iran Open to Talks, Criticizes US Military Presence

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran is “prepared for peace” and diplomacy with the United States, indicating that a potential agreement between the two nations is still within reach despite Washington’s threats.

During an interview with the US television network MS NOW on Friday, Araghchi emphasized that there’s no military solution to Iran’s nuclear program.

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“A diplomatic solution is at our reach; we can easily achieve [it],” Araghchi said.

He criticized the significant US military buildup in the Middle East, which includes two aircraft carriers and many fighter jets, calling it “unnecessary and unhelpful.”

“I have been in this business for the past 20 years and negotiated with different parties. I know that a deal is achievable, but it should be fair and based on a win-win solution,” the top Iranian diplomat noted.

“[The] military option would only complicate this; it would only bring about disastrous consequences – not just for us, but perhaps for the entire region and for the whole international community.”

A few hours after Araghchi’s interview, US President Donald Trump was asked about possibly launching limited strikes against Iran to strengthen Washington’s negotiating position.

“I guess I can say I am considering that,” Trump told reporters.

However, Araghchi warned that Iranians are “proud people” who only respond to the “language of respect.”

“Previous US administrations, even this current one, have tried almost everything against us – war, sanctions, snapback and everything else, but none of them worked,” he mentioned.

The US and Iran have held two rounds of talks over the past month, with officials from both sides describing these negotiations as positive.

Yet, the Trump administration has continued to build up military assets around Iran.

A number of ship tracking websites reported on Friday that the USS Gerald R Ford, which is known as the largest aircraft carrier in the world, entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar heading towards the Gulf region.

This past Thursday, Trump stated Tehran has 10 days to reach an agreement with Washington. He later extended this deadline to as much as 15 days. Last week he mentioned that a final agreement should be reached within a month.

Trump has also repeatedly issued warnings to Iran about “something very tough” and “traumatic” consequences if they don’t comply.

The US joined Israel in attacking Iran last June by bombing three main nuclear facilities in the country.

Both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed these strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran flared up again late last year when Trump threatened renewed strikes if Iran were to rebuild its nuclear program or missile stockpile.

The current status of Iran’s nuclear program hasn’t been confirmed by international monitors; where their highly enriched uranium is located remains unknown publicly.

Tehran insists on its right to uranium enrichment which it claims does not violate its obligations under the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

BBut Trump along with his top aides previously expressed their desire for Iran to completely dismantle its nuclear program.

The enrichment process involves isolating a rare variant-isotope of uranium capable of producing nuclear fission.

If enriched at low levels，this uranium can power electric plants. However，if increased up to approximately 90 percent, it can be used for creating nuclear weapons.

Iran denies pursuing a nuclear bomb but states it’s open to strict monitoring and limits on its enrichment activities while refusing total abandonment of its program.

This past Friday，Araghchi remarked，“The US side has not asked for zero enrichment，” contradicting what seems like Trump’s public stance.</рт

The Iranian foreign minister added that next steps will involve Iran presenting a written proposal for a deal to US negotiators led by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff so both parties can finalize an agreement text.

“We agreed on some guiding principles for negotiation regarding how an agreement might look,”Araghchi commented.

“And then we were requestedto draft possible deal outlines. So next time we meet , we’ll review those draftsand start discussing their wording , hopingto reach conclusions.”

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