WANA (Feb 11) – In an exclusive interview with RT, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stressed the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and said Tehran is ready to reach an agreement “better than the JCPOA,” provided the United States offers tangible guarantees against the use of force. He warned that any new attack on Iran would be met with a decisive response.

 

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, outlined Tehran’s positions on nuclear negotiations, U.S. policy, Israel’s role, and regional security in an exclusive interview with RT. The interview comes amid renewed diplomatic activity between Iran and the United States, reportedly involving figures such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

 

Referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reaction to recent diplomatic developments, Araghchi said Netanyahu is “opposed to peace and diplomacy” and has attacked seven countries in the region over the past two years. According to the Iranian foreign minister, Netanyahu has consistently sought to drag the United States into a military confrontation with Iran—an effort that previously resulted in what Araghchi described as a costly failure.

 

Iran’s View of the United States and Trump

Araghchi said contacts with individuals close to U.S. President Donald Trump suggest that some in Washington are seeking to avoid war and pursue a diplomatic solution. He described this approach as “the most rational choice” available to the U.S. president, while emphasizing that Iran still does not fully trust Washington’s intentions.

 

“If they are serious about a peaceful solution,” Araghchi said, “we are serious as well.”

 

Nuclear Program and Prospects for a New Deal

Emphasizing the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities, Araghchi explained that uranium enrichment below five percent is required for power generation, and in specific cases—such as the Tehran Research Reactor—enrichment up to 20 percent is needed for medical and scientific purposes.

 

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in nuclear negotiations, he said reaching an agreement “better than the Obama-era deal (the JCPOA)” is entirely achievable. Iran, he added, can provide credible guarantees that it will not produce nuclear weapons, addressing what he described as the international community’s main concern.

 

Distrust and the Demand for Guarantees

Recalling past negotiations that were interrupted by military attacks, Araghchi said Iran’s distrust of the United States is rooted in experience. He stressed that Tehran requires “tangible and reliable guarantees” to ensure that Washington will not again resort to force.

 

“Iran’s nuclear program cannot be destroyed by bombing,” he said, noting that the technology is indigenous. “There is no solution other than diplomacy.”

 

Iran’s Red Lines: Missiles and Regional Policy

Asked whether Iran would consider limiting its ballistic missile capabilities or adjusting its regional alliances at Israel’s request, Araghchi firmly rejected the idea. He said such issues are “completely unrelated” to the nuclear file and are not subject to negotiation.

 

Prepared for Both Defense and Diplomacy

Araghchi emphasized that Iran is fully prepared to defend itself against any aggression while remaining equally ready for a diplomatic settlement. He said Iran’s defensive capabilities have improved both quantitatively and qualitatively following recent regional conflicts, and that the country has drawn important lessons from past experiences.

 

He warned that if attacked, Iran would target U.S. bases, assets, and facilities across the region. At the same time, he underlined that diplomacy remains his personal and professional preference.

 

Distinguishing Between the American People and U.S. Policy

In the final part of the interview, Araghchi drew a clear distinction between the American people and U.S. government policies. He said Iran has no issue with the American public and has long valued people-to-people relations, including ties with the Iranian diaspora in the United States.

 

According to Araghchi, hostility stems from U.S. policies adopted after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, driven by miscalculations and intelligence failures in Washington.

 

The Iranian foreign minister’s remarks indicate that Tehran currently views diplomacy as the only sustainable path to resolving the nuclear dispute and reducing tensions with the United States. However, Iran makes clear that progress depends on concrete guarantees, respect for its nuclear rights, and recognition of its security concerns—conditions that could shape the future of regional and international dynamics if met.

 

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