ALWAGHT- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi states that Iran has consistently followed diplomacy while remaining prepared for any conflict.
In a Tehran speech following recent indirect nuclear talks with the US in Oman, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined Iran's dual-track foreign policy. He stated that while Iran is fundamentally a nation of diplomacy, it is also fully prepared for war to deter aggression. He explained this stance by asserting, "We are ready to fight so that no one dares to fight us." The guiding principle of this policy, he emphasized, is national dignity, which entails preserving independence and rejecting foreign domination.
Araghchi framed Iran's actions as reactive, stating that its response mirrors the language used towards it—whether that be diplomacy, force, or respect. On the nuclear issue, he expressed Tehran's readiness to resolve ambiguities through dialogue, arguing that diplomacy is the only viable path. He pointed to past bombings of Iranian facilities as proof that force cannot destroy scientific knowledge or stop technological advancement, making negotiation the sole option.
The Foreign Minister strongly defended Iran's nuclear program, insisting on its legal right to peaceful nuclear energy and demanding that this right be respected. He claimed the true source of Iran's power is its ability to resist bullying and pressure from great powers. "Our atomic bomb," he declared, "is the power to say no." He connected this defiance to the recent conflict, arguing that Iran's resilience and refusal to surrender forced its adversaries to seek a ceasefire.
Araghchi characterized the recent talks in Muscat as a "good start," with both sides intending to continue discussions. These negotiations occurred amid heightened regional tensions, marked by US military deployments and threats. His remarks positioned the talks against a backdrop where Iran seeks diplomatic engagement but remains on high alert for potential military confrontation, underscoring its preparedness to respond in kind to any aggression.
