WANA (Oct 05) – Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi emphasized that while “messages have been exchanged directly, indirectly, or via intermediaries with the U.S., at no point has any issue other than the nuclear issue been discussed.” He added that the Cairo Agreement can no longer serve as the basis for Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

Seyed Abbas Araghchi referred to a recent meeting with ambassadors and heads of foreign missions in Tehran, saying, “Today, we discussed actions taken in the UN Security Council, matters related to snapback, and the consequences of the decisions made.”

 

He noted that “if our proposals had been considered, reaching a negotiated and diplomatic solution would not have been out of reach.”

 

Responding to media reports claiming that the U.S. has set four preconditions for talks with Iran, including non-nuclear issues, the minister said:

 

“The conditions reported in the media were never officially communicated to us. In recent months, our discussions with the Americans have only concerned the nuclear issue, albeit indirectly. Messages were exchanged directly, indirectly, or via intermediaries, but at no point was any topic other than the nuclear issue discussed.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a meeting with foreign ambassadors to Iran, in Tehran, Iran, October 5, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Araghchi added, “Our proposals were completely clear, and we believe that if they had been considered and the opportunity for diplomacy had not been lost or restricted, a negotiated diplomatic solution would have been achievable. Such an opportunity still exists, provided the other side enters talks in good faith and with mutual interests in mind.”

 

He further explained: “The difference today compared to the past is that a new factor has been introduced — the action taken in the Security Council. As I have said before, this action makes any future negotiations more difficult and complex, and reaching an agreed solution will be harder.”

 

The minister emphasized: “Nevertheless, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue its diplomatic efforts. From our perspective, the role of diplomacy can never be eliminated or ignored. We will continue our efforts, but as I said, given the changed conditions — whether following threats, military action, or the snapback implementation — future negotiations will certainly not be the same as before.”

 

Cairo Agreement No Longer Applicable to Current Situation

In response to a question about Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA after the snapback and the status of the Cairo Agreement, Araghchi said:

 

“We signed an agreement with the IAEA regarding a new framework for cooperation between Iran and the agency, and the reasons for this were clear. Given the changes on the ground and the attack on our facilities, cooperation with the IAEA could not continue as before. Due to security threats and safety concerns, a new framework was certainly needed.”

Foreign ambassadors to Iran attend a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Tehran, Iran, October 5, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The senior Iranian diplomat added, “The IAEA agreed with this assessment and accepted the need for a new framework. Several rounds of talks took place between Iran and the agency, culminating in the Cairo discussions and the signing of the agreement.”

 

However, he stressed, “Now, the Cairo Agreement can no longer serve as the basis for our cooperation with the IAEA, and Iran will announce its decision regarding the continuation of its cooperation. As I said after signing the Cairo Agreement, the implementation of snapback has changed all conditions, and we are facing a new reality. Just as the military attack altered the situation, new decisions must now be made. In my view, the Cairo Agreement is no longer applicable to the current situation.”

 

No Justification for Snapback, Iran Stresses Diplomatic Path

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized that there is no valid reason for the implementation of the snapback mechanism and reiterated Iran’s commitment to a peaceful nuclear program.

 

“To demonstrate the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and show our good faith in reaching a negotiated solution that safeguards Iran’s interests while building confidence, Iran has followed every necessary path,” Araghchi said.

 

WANA - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

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WANA (Sep 30) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said “messages were exchanged with the Americans both indirectly and directly” and despite intensive diplomatic efforts in New York, no compromise was reached on the snapback mechanism due to “excessive demands by the United States and the alignment of European countries.”   Speaking on Tuesday […]

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He added: “We initiated cooperation with the IAEA, conducted diplomatic talks and consultations, and presented constructive, fair, and balanced proposals. Currently, Western countries have no excuse to accuse Iran of avoiding negotiations or failing to cooperate with the agency. There is also no legitimate reason for snapback, just as there was never justification for a military attack on Iran.”

 

Iran Will Not Give Up Its Rights

Araghchi stressed that the Islamic Republic seeks neither escalation nor nuclear weapons, but simply the protection of its legitimate rights. “Iran will not give up its rights, but remains open to any solution that can build trust,” he said.

 

Recalling recent events, including U.S. and Israeli military actions, he noted: “During the previous attack, more than 120 countries and nearly all international organizations condemned the strikes and expressed support for Iran, recognizing it as a wise and rational actor in international relations. While Iran was engaged in negotiations, it became the target of aggression.”

 

He added, “Today, Iran again demonstrates that it is a rational, prudent, and intelligent actor in international affairs. We do not relinquish our rights, but we are prepared for any solution that ensures mutual benefits and strengthens confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors to Iran, in Tehran, Iran, October 5, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

European Countries Undermine Their Own Negotiating Justification

On Iran’s interaction with three European countries, Araghchi said: “Experience has shown that there is no solution to Iran’s nuclear issue other than a negotiated diplomatic solution.”

 

He continued: “In recent years, they repeatedly threatened military action and even tested it, only to realize that the problem cannot be resolved through force. Europeans also threatened to implement snapback, and our response has been clear: just as military action could not provide a final solution to Iran’s nuclear issue, snapback cannot either; it only complicates and hardens the negotiation process.”

 

Araghchi added, “The three European countries thought they held leverage through snapback. They applied it and saw the result: nothing happened that could solve the problem, and diplomacy was made more difficult and complex.”

 

He stressed, “Diplomacy never ends; it always exists. The question is with whom and under what conditions it is conducted. We are now facing completely different circumstances than before. These three European countries have undoubtedly reduced their role and have almost eliminated their justification for negotiations. In any future diplomatic solution, their role will likely be much smaller than in the past.”