Tehran (TDI): Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said he remains optimistic that a nuclear agreement with the United States can still be achieved, provided confidence between the two sides is rebuilt. He also warned that any military confrontation would quickly spread across the region.
Speaking to CNN International on Sunday, Araghchi acknowledged that trust in Washington has eroded. “Regrettably, we no longer see the US as a reliable negotiating partner,” he said. However, he noted that messages exchanged through friendly regional countries are helping keep communication alive, describing the ongoing mediation as productive.
“These exchanges are constructive and could pave the way for serious negotiations,” he said, adding that the key challenge is overcoming deep-seated mistrust.
The Iranian foreign minister said his main concern was not an outright war, but the risk of misjudgment caused by misinformation or pressure from outside actors seeking to push the US toward conflict.
Araghchi emphasized that the substance of any negotiations mattered more than whether talks are held directly or through intermediaries. “What matters is the content, not the format,” he said.
Read More: Trump Optimistic on Iran Deal Amid Tehran’s Warning of Regional War
Referring to US President Donald Trump’s repeated assertion that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, Araghchi said Tehran shares that goal. “We agree that there should be no nuclear weapons,” he stated, suggesting that renewed talks are possible if US negotiators adhere to that principle.
“If the American side follows the approach outlined by President Trump, aiming for a fair and balanced agreement, then I believe dialogue is possible,” he said, while making clear that sanctions relief would be expected in return.
Araghchi firmly rejected the idea of broadening negotiations to include Iran’s ballistic missile program or its regional allies, calling such demands unrealistic and unworkable.
Despite longstanding accusations by the US and Israel that Iran’s nuclear activities are aimed at developing weapons, Araghchi said he was confident an agreement could be reached. “I believe we can arrive at a deal,” he said.
Read More: Pezeshkian Blames West, Israel for Exploiting Iran’s Protests
On the possibility of war with the United States, Araghchi warned that any conflict would be catastrophic. With American military bases spread across the Middle East, he said fighting would inevitably pull multiple countries into the confrontation.
He added that Iran had drawn lessons from its past clashes with Israel, saying recent combat experience had helped Tehran better understand the capabilities and limitations of its missile systems. “We are well prepared,” he said, stressing that readiness should not be mistaken for a desire for war. “Preparation is about prevention.”
Addressing concerns raised by President Trump regarding detainees in Iran, Araghchi denied reports of planned executions linked to recent unrest. He said Iranian authorities would ensure that the legal rights of all those arrested or detained are fully respected.
