WANA (Feb 07) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that indirect talks with the United States had “a good start,” but stressed that zero uranium enrichment is outside the framework of negotiations and that Iran’s missile program is not subject to any talks.

 

Speaking to Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the 17th Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, Araghchi said recent Iran-U.S. negotiations had begun positively, but added that a long road remains to build trust between the two sides.

 

He said the talks were held indirectly and focused exclusively on the nuclear file. Araghchi stressed that the issue of “zero enrichment” is fundamentally out of the scope of negotiations and that the Islamic Republic will not accept such an option.

 

“Enrichment is our undeniable right and must continue,” he said.

 

Araghchi added that even military attacks have failed to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities. At the same time, he said Iran is ready to reach an agreement that addresses concerns over enrichment and provides the necessary assurances.

 

He also said Iran’s missile program is defensive in nature and will not be negotiable, either now or in the future.

 

The Iranian foreign minister said the path of negotiations must be free from threats and pressure, expressing hope that the United States would adopt such an approach.

 

He said the objective of the talks should be to reach a “fair and mutually beneficial” outcome, which would require confidence-building and realistic negotiations between the parties.

 

Emphasizing diplomacy, Araghchi said the only way to resolve Iran’s nuclear file is through negotiations. He added that Iran’s level of enrichment is determined based on domestic needs and that exporting enriched uranium out of the country is not an option.

 

Referring to future talks, Araghchi said that while a date for the second round has not yet been set, both Tehran and Washington agree on the need to hold the next round as soon as possible.

 

He also noted that despite the indirect nature of Friday’s talks, there was an opportunity for a brief face-to-face encounter and handshakes between him and members of the U.S. delegation.

 

In response to a question from Al Jazeera, Araghchi said the shadow of war is always present, adding that while Iran is fully prepared for military confrontation, it will make every effort to prevent conflict.

 

He said Iran does not attack neighboring countries, adding that U.S. bases — not regional states — would be the targets, stressing that “there is a very big difference between the two.”

 

He stated that Iran’s sovereign position is opposed to transferring uranium out of the country. However, he added that Tehran is prepared to reduce the level of enrichment.

 

Araghchi also, referring to the region’s security situation, emphasized: “We do not want a regional war, and the countries of the region do not want one either, but any attack by the United States could change the situation.”

 

Referring to the ongoing negotiations, Iran’s foreign minister announced: “In Muscat, I declared our readiness to remain for as long as necessary to reach a real and swift agreement.”

 

He concluded by noting: “A change in the location of the negotiations with Washington in the second round is possible.”

An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, is seen in Tehran, Iran, February 7, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)