Tehran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Europe’s involvement in any future resolution to Iran’s nuclear program will be significantly reduced compared to the past. Following a speech to ambassadors, charg©s d’affaires, and heads of foreign and international missions based in Tehran, Araghchi addressed questions from IRNA about Iran’s future cooperation with the European troika-Britain, France, and Germany.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Araghchi emphasized that a diplomatic and negotiated solution is the only viable path for Iran’s nuclear program, a reality proven and confirmed repeatedly in recent years. Despite threats and attempts at military action, it became evident that Iran’s nuclear issue could not be resolved through military means. Araghchi highlighted that the European countries believed they could pressure Iran by threatening to implement new tools, but activating these measures resulted in no change or resolution, only weakening the diplomatic process.
Araghchi noted that the European countries had repeatedly threatened to use the snapback mechanism, and Iran consistently responded that, like military action, this mechanism would not provide a final solution, but would complicate the diplomatic process. He pointed out that while diplomacy is always present, the conditions, parties involved, and balance have changed, weakening Europe’s role in the diplomatic process.
Regarding Iran’s agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Araghchi announced that Iran had established a new framework for cooperation, necessitated by recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. These developments made the continued cooperation under the previous framework unfeasible, leading to several rounds of negotiations and ultimately, the Cairo agreement. However, under current circumstances, the Cairo agreement is no longer a viable basis for cooperation, and Iran will soon announce its new decision regarding its relationship with the IAEA.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran has taken steps to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, engaging in diplomatic talks and consultations, and presenting constructive, fair, and balanced proposals. He argued that Western countries have no grounds to accuse Iran of avoiding negotiations or failing to cooperate with the agency, and that the snapback mechanism lacks justification.
In response to questions about US negotiations, Araghchi clarified that Iran’s talks with the US have been limited to the nuclear issue and conducted indirectly through messages and intermediaries. He stressed that no other topics have been discussed and believes that if Iran’s proposals were considered, reaching a negotiated and diplomatic solution would be attainable.
Araghchi concluded that the activation of the Snapback Mechanism at the UN Security Council has complicated future negotiations, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to advancing diplomacy. Despite the changed conditions following recent attacks and the snapback mechanism, Iran is prepared for a fair, balanced, and negotiated solution that builds trust.
The Foreign Minister highlighted the need to explain the consequences and implications of Western countries’ decisions in the UN Security Council, including potential legal and political challenges. Iran’s efforts to reach a fair and balanced solution were met with negative responses from Western countries due to their excessive demands, according to Araghchi.