Lisbon: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that the country’s nuclear strategy might pivot towards weaponization if Western nations decide to reimpose all United Nations sanctions on Tehran. Araghchi’s remarks came during a press briefing in Lisbon ahead of a scheduled meeting between Iranian and European negotiators in Geneva.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Araghchi described the upcoming talks in Geneva as a “brainstorming session” intended to explore potential resolutions to the current diplomatic deadlock. However, he expressed skepticism about the prospects of the meeting, questioning whether Iran was negotiating with the appropriate stakeholders.
Araghchi emphasized that while Iran possesses the capability and expertise to develop nuclear weapons, such armament does not currently align with its security policies. Nonetheless, he acknowledged an ongoing internal debate within Iran, among both elites and ordinary citizens, about the prudence of its current nuclear approach
. He suggested that the country’s existing policy might have been misguided, as it has not yielded the expected lifting of sanctions despite compliance with international demands.
Araghchi warned that if European countries move to reimpose sanctions at the UN Security Council, it would reinforce the perception among Iranians that their nuclear doctrine has been flawed. He reflected on the decade-long negotiations and subsequent implementations, noting that returning to Chapter Seven of the UN Charter would signify a misdirection, necessitating a strategic shift.
Additionally, Araghchi addressed regional security issues, clarifying that Iran has not supplied ballistic missiles to Russia. He defended Tehran’s military collaboration with Moscow, asserting its legitimacy while affirming support for Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
On the topic of the Middle East conflicts, Araghchi commented on Israel’s readiness for a ceasefire in Lebanon, attributing it to Israel’s inability to achieve its military object
ives against Hezbollah. He contrasted this with the situation in Gaza, where a ceasefire with Hamas would represent a strategic setback for Israel, complicating negotiations further.
