Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared on Sunday that a nuclear agreement with the United States remains attainable this year if both nations commit to "fair and just" negotiations. Speaking to CNN, Araghchi acknowledged strained trust but highlighted progress through indirect diplomatic channels facilitated by regional partners.
"While we've lost confidence in the U.S. as a negotiating partner," Araghchi stated, "the current exchange of messages via third parties shows promise." He emphasized Washington's recent engagement as more substantive than previous interactions, noting U.S. officials now "take our positions seriously."
The minister reaffirmed Iran's alignment with former U.S. President Donald Trump's stated goal of preventing nuclear proliferation, asserting Tehran could guarantee the peaceful nature of its program indefinitely. However, he stressed this requires reciprocal action: "Sanctions must be lifted, and our sovereign right to peaceful nuclear energy must be recognized."
When pressed about Iran's missile development and regional alliances, Araghchi urged focus on immediate priorities: "Let's not lose this window for a balanced agreement by debating peripheral issues. A mutually acceptable deal could be finalized swiftly if we maintain clarity of purpose."
Regarding negotiation formats, the diplomat maintained flexibility: "What matters is achieving verifiable commitments, not whether we meet face-to-face or through intermediaries."
