ALWAGHT- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi states the core dispute with the US is its refusal to recognize Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology, vowing that Tehran's commitment to its program remains unwavering despite attacks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a recent interview, reaffirmed Iran's unwavering right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under international law. He stated that the central condition for resuming negotiations with the United States is a fundamental shift in Washington's approach, specifically its formal recognition of this right. Araghchi expressed skepticism about current US readiness for serious dialogue, citing the prior US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and recent military attacks as evidence of bad faith and a pattern of “dictation” over negotiation.
The Minister strongly condemned the recent US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, which included bombings of its nuclear facilities, labeling these acts as severe violations of international law and the UN Charter. He clarified that while Iran maintains cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), full inspections cannot safely resume until credible security guarantees are provided to prevent future attacks during oversight. Araghchi asserted that trust must be rebuilt by the US through concrete actions, linking the lifting of sanctions to verifiable mutual commitments on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
Turning to Japan, Araghchi highlighted the historically friendly bilateral relations, noting that Japan is both a US ally and a friend to Iran. He expressed Iran's openness to technical and safety cooperation with Japan, specifically citing Japan's unique expertise in nuclear safety gained from the tragedies of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Fukushima. He positioned this potential partnership as an opportunity distinct from the confrontational dynamic with Western nations, framing it as a constructive path forward based on shared practical interests and historical understanding.
