WANA (Jun 20)  Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized that while the Israeli regime’s aggressions continue, the Americans are seeking negotiations and have sent multiple messages. He stated firmly: “We have explicitly said that as long as aggression and invasion persist, there is no place for talk of dialogue. We will have no conversation with the U.S., which is a partner in this crime.”

 

In an interview with the national broadcaster (IRIB), Araghchi outlined the diplomatic actions taken following the Israeli regime’s invasion.

 

He stated: “From the moment this aggression began, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside the armed forces who heroically began to resist and fully defend the country, acted in the foreign policy arena as well. We have made repeated contacts with the foreign ministers of nearly 30 countries.”

 

“The President also spoke with several heads of state. I spoke with the UN Secretary-General, requested an emergency Security Council session, and wrote him a letter. That session was held last week, and again this week—at the request of China, Russia, Pakistan, and Algeria—another Security Council session will be convened,” Araghchi said.

 

No Expectations from UNSC to Act Against Israeli Regime

Araghchi noted that communications were also made with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), requesting an emergency Board of Governors meeting, which was held on Monday.

 

“An emergency session of the Conference on Disarmament was held on Tuesday. On Saturday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting will include a special session on the attack against Iran, as requested by us.”

 

He added, “Naturally, we do not expect the Security Council, the Board of Governors, or such bodies—where Western countries hold the majority—to take action against the Zionist regime. We had no such expectation, but wanted the world to see and recognize this. In the Arab and regional world, there has been a strong wave of condemnation. I am not aware of any country in the region that has not condemned it.”

 

“The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab League issued condemnations. Various regional countries independently prepared a joint statement, which Arab and Islamic countries signed. In the Board of Governors, when the West blocked action, 11 countries independently issued a joint statement condemning the Zionist regime’s attack on nuclear facilities,” Araghchi continued.

 

Iran Has the Upper Hand in Terms of International Law and Human Conscience

Araghchi stated that he, his colleagues, and the Foreign Ministry spokesperson have conducted numerous interviews. “With the policies we have adopted, we currently have the upper hand in terms of international law and human conscience. Even when speaking with Westerners, they have no response to our arguments. We were engaged in diplomacy and negotiations, and suddenly the Zionist regime launched this aggressive attack. What justification or legitimacy could possibly explain why it is not condemned?”

 

He added that some countries have reached out, urging de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. “I respond that we were in the middle of diplomacy—what exactly should we return to? After the Zionist regime attacked nuclear facilities, no one can explain why the West refuses to condemn this aggression. They cannot even justify it and simply avoid the question. Based on international law, attacking nuclear facilities is an unforgivable violation and has been debated repeatedly in international bodies. It is clearly illegal, and they know this—but they avoid it.”

 

U.S. Involvement Needs No Proof

Araghchi stressed that “We consider the U.S. an accomplice and partner to Israel in this aggression. While the Zionist regime continues its assaults, the Americans are calling for talks and have sent multiple messages. But we have said explicitly that until the aggression stops, there can be no talk of dialogue. We will not speak with the U.S., which is a partner in this crime.”

 

He added, “There are various indications of coordination between U.S. forces in the region and the Zionist regime, but more importantly, the U.S. President’s tweets and interviews use language like ‘we did this.’ Therefore, U.S. involvement needs no proof or evidence.”

 

“Thankfully, the heroic participation of our armed forces has gradually revealed that the idea the enemy had—of subduing the Iranian nation with lightning strikes—was delusional and futile. As a result of this resistance, we will see countries begin to distance themselves from the aggression committed by the Zionist regime. Calls for ending the war have already started and will only grow. This shows how effective and influential the Iranian people’s resistance has been—and will continue to be.”

 

No Talks with the U.S., Which Is a Partner in the Crime

Responding to Western media reports about Iran-U.S. negotiations, Araghchi said: “It seems they are trying to indirectly express their desire for negotiations and diplomacy through such reports. But this must be clarified: We are not seeking negotiations with anyone while the Zionist regime’s aggressions continue. We are not seeking negotiations with anyone on this matter. The Americans, however, have sent serious messages requesting talks, but Iran has made it clear that as long as these aggressions persist, there is no place for dialogue or diplomacy.”

 

He emphasized, “We are engaged in legitimate self-defense, and this defense will not be halted under any circumstances. We have no dialogue with the U.S., which is a partner in this crime. Some countries have acted as intermediaries and offered proposals during phone calls, but the Islamic Republic of Iran has had no contact or talks with the Americans—and under the current conditions, we will not have any.”

 

Araghchi added: “These reports are untrue and driven by certain agendas. We are not seeking talks with anyone. The Americans requested talks, and we rejected them. If others request dialogue, we have no problem with that, but currently, there is no meaning to negotiations—we are only in a stage of listening and presenting our positions. Three European countries and the EU foreign policy chief have requested a four-party meeting in Geneva.”

 

We Will Not Miss Any Opportunity to Defend the Rights of the Iranian People

Araghchi continued: “We have always held talks with Europeans on various topics. Now, too, if they have something to say, we will listen. We are not ashamed of defending the rights of the Iranian people and are not avoiding anyone—we are present in every arena, unless it contradicts our national interests. Previously, we have had diplomatic discussions with Europe about Iran’s nuclear program, and those talks will continue. I will meet them in Geneva to hear their position. We will not miss any chance or stage where we can defend the rights of the Iranian people.”

 

He emphasized that discussions with Europe are limited to nuclear and regional issues. “Some current regional problems and the ongoing war are also part of the discussion topics. We’ve never had any obstacles to dialogue with Europe. Indirect talks with the U.S. have only been about nuclear issues, but with Europe, we’ve usually discussed all matters. These discussions, however, do not constitute any commitment—they are merely about listening to each other and defending the legitimate positions of the Islamic Republic and the people’s interests.”

 

Iran Has No Missile Talks with Anyone

Reiterating Iran’s stance, Araghchi stated: “In Geneva, the talks will be strictly about nuclear and regional matters. Iran will not engage in any discussions with anyone regarding its missile capabilities. If anyone had doubts before, now it is clear that Iran’s missile capability is an extraordinary national defense capacity. Our missiles have never been used for aggression—they are for defense, and they are currently fulfilling that role and serving as a deterrent.”

 

The Foreign Minister emphasized, “No sound mind can accept that Iran should negotiate or compromise on its defense capabilities. This issue is not even on our agenda, and I assure the Iranian people that we consider this among the fundamental principles of our national interests and rights, and it is absolutely non-negotiable.”

 

On Israeli Claims about Iran Targeting a Hospital

Regarding claims by the Zionist regime that Iran targeted a hospital in the occupied territories, Araghchi said two key points must be considered: “First, Iran’s capable armed forces initially targeted only military centers in the occupied territories. When the Zionist regime attacked Iran’s economic centers, we responded by including economic targets in our strikes.”

 

He emphasized, “Residential areas, civilians, and ordinary buildings—especially hospitals—have never been part of our target list. We are very careful about this, and I am aware that our missile strikes were precisely designed with full adherence to ethical principles and international humanitarian law during warfare.”

 

He concluded, “Hearing such lamentations and victim-playing from a regime that has deliberately bombed hospitals in Gaza, and in some cases has gone even further—entering hospitals and shooting patients—is laughable and ridiculous.”

Vanak Square’s new mural features Arash the Archer, a legendary figure from Persian mythology. Social media/ WANA News Agency