TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered one of the most detailed explanations yet of Tehran’s current foreign policy posture, addressing nuclear talks, relations with the West, and the situation in Gaza during a televised interview Saturday night, according to Mehr News Agency.
Araghchi reiterated Iran’s support for an immediate end to the Gaza conflict, saying Tehran backs any initiative that halts “the genocide” and alleviates the suffering of Palestinians. “We support stopping the crimes, providing aid, and ensuring the rights of the people of Gaza,” he said, adding that Iran remains deeply distrustful of Israel. “It is natural for us to issue warnings about the Zionist regime, and we will continue to do so.”
He noted that while the first phase of the ceasefire has been implemented, more than half of Gaza remains under Israeli occupation. “Whether this regime will fully withdraw is doubtful,” he said, calling Iran’s stance on the truce “not moderate, but realistic.”
Turning to nuclear diplomacy, Araghchi rejected speculation that Iran has exchanged messages or engaged in indirect talks with the United States. “No negotiations or messages have been exchanged with Washington,” he said. “We have always made it clear that our discussions are solely about the nuclear issue — nothing else, and certainly not about the resistance.”
Responding to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about Iran potentially joining the Abraham Accords, Araghchi dismissed the idea outright. “The foundation of the Abraham Accords is treacherous and incompatible with the ideals of the Islamic Revolution,” he said. “Such an event will never happen.”
Araghchi criticized both the current and previous U.S. administrations for inconsistency and broken promises, saying that Western commitments “change constantly.” He added that regional officials, including those involved in ceasefire talks, share deep skepticism about U.S. and Western intentions. “Everyone speaks only of the first phase,” he said. “The tougher stages are yet to come.”
On Europe’s role, Araghchi accused the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal — Britain, France, and Germany — of losing credibility. “We had an agreement; the U.S. withdrew. The Europeans violated it and exhausted their leverage. We see no reason to negotiate with them now,” he said, adding that the so-called “troika” no longer holds relevance for Tehran.
Regarding recent rumors of contact with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Araghchi categorically denied any direct communication. “We never had a phone call,” he said. “Messages are exchanged only through intermediaries.”
He also revealed that the U.S. had offered to delay the snapback mechanism — the reimposition of UN sanctions — if Iran surrendered its 60% enriched uranium stockpile. “That was an excessive demand,” he said. “This is why the New York negotiations failed.”
Discussing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Araghchi said the Cairo agreement with the Agency is currently suspended, citing Europe’s actions. Still, he emphasized that Iran’s engagement with the IAEA continues on specific projects, such as the Tehran research reactor that produces nuclear medicine.
“If a proposal is balanced, logical, and based on mutual respect,” Araghchi concluded, “Iran will examine it. But we will never abandon our enrichment rights or our national interests.”
