Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that the U.S. is seeking to communicate with Tehran through third parties, emphasizing that Iran is “open to a fair nuclear deal,” while Israel has voiced concerns that negotiations between Tehran and Washington could result in an agreement that does not curb Iran’s missile capabilities.
Tasnim News Agency quoted Araqchi on Saturday saying, “Washington is trying to reach out to Tehran through third parties, and we are open to a fair nuclear agreement.”
In an interview with CNN Türk, Araqchi explained, “They send us messages from U.S. officials and ask us to intervene diplomatically. Our position is clear: we are ready for fair and balanced diplomacy.” He added, “If the deal is fair and just, as Trump claims, we are ready, but both sides must accept that negotiation is different from dictation, and no one can predict the outcome before talks begin.”
The Iranian minister stressed the need for the U.S. to abandon threats and intimidation and to be ready for negotiations on equal footing. He stated, “Negotiation is a give-and-take process; no one can impose terms on the other. This is not a fair negotiation.”
Araqchi also referred to Iran’s past experiences negotiating with the U.S., saying, “When Israel attacked us last June and the U.S. joined in, we were in the middle of negotiations, creating an atmosphere of distrust. If the U.S. is serious, it must remove these doubts and change its approach to ensure fair talks.”
Turkish Efforts and Regional Diplomacy
Regarding his meetings in Turkey, Araqchi said, “I confirmed that Iran has never sought to acquire nuclear weapons. We are fully ready to reach a fair nuclear deal that safeguards our legitimate interests, including preventing nuclear weapons development and lifting sanctions.”
He added, “I always welcome dialogue with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding bilateral relations and key regional issues.” Praising regional diplomacy, he said, “Turkey and its neighbors have made positive efforts to achieve peace and stability, and we welcome these initiatives. We are ready to cooperate with regional countries to protect peace and prevent any unlawful aggression.”
Israeli Concerns and U.S. Military Presence
Meanwhile, Israeli public radio (Kan) reported that Israeli security and political leaders have expressed concern that negotiations between Iran and the U.S. could produce a deal that does not end Iran’s long-range missile capabilities, not just its nuclear program.
The U.S. continues to strengthen its military presence in the region while exploring potential options for military action against Iran.
