WANA (Aug 20) – Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, outlined several key points in a recent media interview regarding the state of foreign policy talks.

 

On the decision-making process, he said: “Since the very first day of the negotiations, decisions have been made at the Supreme National Security Council, while implementation lies with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Who to negotiate with, how, and where, as well as the negotiation strategy, is designed by the Foreign Ministry; but the overall framework is determined by the Supreme National Security Council.”

 

Addressing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Araghchi noted: “A new situation has emerged; our facilities have been bombed, and there is no precedent on how to deal with facilities that have come under attack. Therefore, we need to reach a new framework for cooperation.” He stressed that the return of inspectors can only be decided by the Supreme National Security Council, adding: “For now, we intend to remain within the NPT, but conditions may change in the future.”

 

A New Round of Iran–IAEA Talks Ahead

WANA (Aug 18) – The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that a new round of negotiations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will take place in the coming days.   Speaking at his weekly press briefing, Esmail Baghaei referred to the recent visit of the IAEA Director […]

Read More...

 

Speaking about negotiations with Europe, the Foreign Minister said: “At this stage, we are still assessing whether there is even a basis for real negotiations. For them, their only tool is the snapback mechanism, while we believe they have no right to use it. After the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and their push for zero enrichment, the Europeans themselves effectively left the deal.”

 

He warned: “Even if we assume they do have such a right, activating the snapback would mean the end of Europe’s role in diplomacy.” Araghchi also revealed that Iran, together with Russia and China, has prepared joint measures in anticipation of any possible snapback attempt.

 

On the U.S., Araghchi emphasized: “Talks with America must take place at the right time. We have not yet reached the maturity for meaningful negotiations. The Americans are still unwilling to enter into talks on an equal footing and are seeking to gain at the negotiating table what they failed to achieve militarily — and they will not succeed.”