tehran, iran
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Even as the US military prepares to attack Iran, the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CNN on Sunday that he is “confident that we can reach an agreement” with the US on Iran’s nuclear program.
“Unfortunately, we have lost confidence (in) the United States as a negotiating partner,” he said, but said the exchange of messages through friendly countries in the region was facilitating “fruitful” negotiations with the United States.
There appeared to be similar optimism on the American side this weekend. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump told reporters on an Air Force plane that Iran was “in serious talks with us.”
Araghchi rejected promises that Iran would negotiate directly with U.S. negotiators, stressing the need to address the “substance of the negotiations” rather than the formality.
His remarks came as Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei defiantly warned that a US attack on Iran would lead to a regional war.
According to state media, Khamenei told a crowd at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosque on Sunday that Iran “does not intend to attack any country, but we will deal a firm blow to those who attack and harass Iran.”
“Americans need to know that if they start a war, it’s going to be a regional war,” he said, posting similar remarks on X.
In response to Sunday’s remarks, President Trump said the world would soon find out whether Khamenei was correct in warning that a U.S. attack would spark a regional war. “Why doesn’t he (Khamenei) say that? Of course he can say that,” Trump said.
“But we have the largest and most powerful ships in the world right over there, right next to us,” Trump added. “And hopefully we can get a deal done.” “If we don’t get a deal, we’ll find out if he was right.”
Progress toward renegotiation appears to be stumbled by Iran’s demands to focus on the nuclear issue and the United States’ refusal to reduce its military presence in the region, which overshadows any diplomatic efforts.
Asked by CNN about questions about Iran’s large missile arsenal (which is believed to have been largely rebuilt after last year’s war with Israel) and the country’s regional proxies, such as the Yemen-based Houthis, which harass regional shipping, Aragushi said the focus should instead be on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“Let’s stop talking about the impossible, and let’s not lose the opportunity to reach a fair and impartial agreement that ensures we don’t have nuclear weapons. As I said, that can be achieved in the short term,” he said.
In return, Aragushi said Tehran expects the lifting of U.S. sanctions that have strangled Iran’s economy for more than a decade and respect for Iran’s right to continue enriching its nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
Araghchi said, echoing Khamenei’s comments, that Iran has promised to be ready for war if negotiations fail, but that the conflict will likely spiral beyond Iran.
But a war “would be a disaster for everyone,” Araghchi said, and U.S. military bases in the region would be targeted by Iranian forces. The Iranian military recognized the limitations and strengths of its missile force during last year’s 12-day war against Israel.
Human rights groups estimate that at least thousands of people were killed in street protests across Iran last month, which prompted President Trump to warn Tehran that the United States would launch attacks against the Iranian regime.
President Trump on Saturday declined to say whether he had decided on a possible military strike against Iran.
Asked about concerns that reversing the attack would embolden the Iranian government, Trump said: “Some people think so, and some people don’t think so.”
President Trump reiterated his previous statements and again declined to provide details about a possible military strike.
“We can’t say for sure, but we do know that very large and powerful ships are headed in that direction,” he said. “You know, I can’t say. I hope they can negotiate something acceptable.”
Regional efforts to avert conflict have included a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent days, including a visit by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to Tehran on Saturday.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two countries “reviewed continued efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.”
A telephone conversation also took place on Saturday between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, in which the president “reiterated Egypt’s persistent efforts aimed at bringing the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table,” according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek war, never has, and is firmly convinced that war is not in the interests of Iran, the United States, or the region,” Pezeshkian told Sisi, according to the Iranian presidential palace.
On the streets of Tehran, the violent crackdown on January’s protests is at the forefront of people’s minds.
Asked about the government’s response, Aragushi accused Khamenei and Iranian state media alike of “terrorist elements” taking orders from abroad for stirring up dissent and provoking violence throughout the crisis.
Speaking about the violent peak of the protests, he said: “We see the last three days as a continuation of that 12-day war, which was an externally led operation by Mossad, which of course we quelled.”
He said there was “no plan to execute or hang” any of the protesters, denying Trump’s claims that he had received assurances from Iran that the executions would be halted.
“I can assure you that the rights of all those arrested and detained will be respected and guaranteed,” he said.
