Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi
In an interviwe with Al Jazeera, Araqchi said talks held with Washington on Friday marked “a good starting point” and were limited exclusively to the nuclear file.
The indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman and held in Muscat, brought together Iranian and US delegations led by Araqchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
“There is currently no fixed date for a second round of talks, but both sides believe it should take place soon,” Araqchi said, adding that the negotiations were conducted indirectly through Oman and focused solely on the nuclear issue.
He stressed that “zero enrichment is outside the scope of negotiations,” noting that uranium enrichment levels depend on Iran’s needs and that enriched uranium “will not leave Iran.”
Araqchi reiterated that enrichment is “an established right” for Iran and must continue, adding that Iran’s nuclear capabilities “could not be destroyed even through bombing.”
Araqchi said Iran is ready to reach a “reassuring agreement” regarding uranium enrichment, emphasizing that the nuclear issue “can only be resolved through negotiations.” However, he ruled out any discussion of Iran’s missile program, saying it is a defensive issue that “cannot be negotiated now or in the future.”
“The negotiating track must be free of threats or pressure, and we hope to see this reflected in the US approach,” he added.
Araqchi also warned that while the possibility of war “always exists,” Iran is prepared for such a scenario and seeks to prevent it. He said Iran would not attack US territory if Washington were to strike Iran, but would target US bases in the Middle East. “We do not attack neighboring countries, but rather US bases located there. There is a big difference between the two,” he said.
Calling for confidence-building measures, Araqchi urged “realistic negotiations” aimed at achieving a fair, mutually beneficial outcome. He noted that Washington had returned to negotiations after previously resorting to military attacks.
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