WANA (Nov 16) – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said that following the failure of the United States and Israel to achieve their objectives in the recent conflict, “requests for negotiations with Iran have once again begun, simply because their military approach did not succeed.”

 

Return to Diplomacy After the Failure of the Military Option

Speaking at the international conference “International Law under Aggression, Attack and Defense,” Araghchi stated that the first missile fired during the recent war “hit the Iran–U.S. negotiating table,” demonstrating that military confrontation cannot replace diplomacy.

 

He added: “If the U.S. and Israel sought to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, they failed. Facilities can be damaged, but technology cannot be destroyed by airstrikes, and the will of a nation certainly cannot. Now they are requesting negotiations again because they did not achieve what they wanted militarily. Iran’s nuclear issue has no military solution; they tested it and learned the answer.”

 

Araghchi stressed that “negotiation is not the same as dictation,” noting: “Diplomacy is built on reciprocity and mutual benefit. What you failed to gain on the battlefield cannot be imposed at the negotiating table. Iran has never abandoned talks; it was always the other side that violated agreements.”

A general view of the destruction of a residential building after the Israeli attacks on Tehran on June 15, 2025, in Tehran, Iran, July 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Defensive Capabilities Fully Rebuilt and Strengthened

The foreign minister also addressed Iran’s military posture after the 12-day conflict, asserting that the country’s defense capabilities are now “significantly stronger than before June 13.”

 

“All defensive capacities have been rebuilt, and we have gained an accurate understanding of our own strengths and weaknesses—and those of the enemy. If a similar conflict were to occur again, Iran would be able to defend itself more effectively than before. This enhanced readiness is the core of our deterrence.”

 

He noted that the war began due to a “miscalculation” by Iran’s adversaries regarding the country’s preparedness: “Towards the end of the conflict, the skies over the Israeli regime were effectively under the control of Iranian missiles, leaving them no choice but to request an unconditional ceasefire.”

Araghchi's visit to exhibition of new nuclear achievements on November 10, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Araghchi’s visit to exhibition of new nuclear achievements on November 10, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Iran’s Nuclear Program Intact; National Resolve Strengthened

Araghchi underlined that while physical facilities can be damaged, Iran’s nuclear technology and national determination remain intact: “What matters most is the will of the Iranian people. The recent aggression failed to break domestic cohesion; instead, it strengthened it. The nation stood firmly behind the government.”

 

He added that despite four decades of sanctions, Iran has continued on its development path: “Economic difficulties exist, and I do not deny them. But sanctions have not been able to break Iran’s resolve. Many foreign delegations express genuine surprise at Iran’s progress under pressure.”

 

A Clear Choice for the West: Respectful Diplomacy or Repeating a Failed Confrontation

The foreign minister concluded by pointing to two past experiences now facing Western policymakers: “The 2013–2015 negotiations proved that when Iran is addressed with respect, diplomacy succeeds. The recent war proved that when Iran is confronted with force, it responds in kind—and decisively. The choice now belongs to those who seek to engage Iran.”

 

Araghchi emphasized that the Islamic Republic is prepared for both paths—“a respectful diplomatic engagement or an answer to threats.”

 

Iran Will Resume Its Enrichment Programme

 

Following his address at the panel, the foreign minister engaged with the media and responded to various questions the journalists had concerning Iran’s enrichment activities.

 

“There are no undeclared nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran; all of them are under the safeguard and monitoring of the agency. There is no enrichment right now becuase all of our enrichment facilities have been attacked”

He also highlighted Iran’s perspective and stance concerning the right to enrichment:

 

“Our message is clear: Iran’s right to enrichment for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable. We have this right, and we continue to exercise that, and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognises our right and understands that this is an inalienable right of Iran, and we would never give up our right.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister , Seyed Abbas Araghchi / November 16, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Once again, The Future of Negotiations with the U.S

In response to another question among the press, Iran’s foreign minister talked about Iran’s stance on possible future negotiations with the U.S, which is a constant question of the press:

 

 “I did not say that we have a new plan (for negotiations with U.S) . The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been in favor of diplomacy and negotiations, but negotiations that are fair and based on the strategy of an approach of mutual benefits and are fair and honorable.”

 

While saying the statements above, he also mentioned what could be the obstacles to the Iran-U.S. negotiations ; “The current approach of the US government does not in any way indicate a readiness for equal and fair negotiations to achieve mutual benefits. ” The foreign Minister described the demands of the West as ” Completely maximal and excessive demands” and said, ” as long as they have this outlook, we do not see an opportunity for dialogue . Otherwise, we were ready for dialogue, and we always are, and we will continue to be, but we will never participate in negotiations that are intended to dictate.” Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister.