Araghchi: Iran sets the pace, won't wait for US to start talks
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that Tehran will proactively engage with European nations and will not postpone negotiations in anticipation of the United States.
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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Tehran, Iran, August 26, 2024. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran will initiate talks with European nations and will not wait for the United States to commence negotiations.
“We will not accept any agreement until our interests are secured,” Araghchi stated during an interview with state TV on Sunday.
He emphasized, “It doesn’t matter who the other party is; we will negotiate in a way that secures our interests.”
Araghchi also noted, “Of course, [negotiations have their] own conditions with the Americans. There were contacts in the previous government, and we will continue in this government if necessary.”
“It is a fact that the Americans are not ready to negotiate now,” he added.
“There is not much time left until their [presidential] elections. No country is ready for serious negotiations at the time of elections, and this is completely normal,” he observed.
“If necessary, we will start contacts with the Europeans and we will not wait for America,” he affirmed.
Sanctions failed tools
The top Iranian diplomat pointed out that Europeans should understand Iran's concerns. “If they have concerns, we also have concerns,” he said.
He also mentioned Iran’s “problem with Europe in the field of economic sanctions, The way is not to use failed tools.”
Araghchi noted that Europeans had previously imposed a range of sanctions against Iran over its peaceful nuclear program, but they eventually had to come to the negotiating table. “It is clear that the embargo has failed,” he concluded.
In his remarks, Araghchi addressed European concerns that Iran might be supplying advanced weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict.
“If Europe is really concerned, the way is dignified talks,” he suggested.
He emphasized that Europeans should not expect their concerns to be resolved unilaterally. “Iran is ready to talk with them,” Araghchi stated.
He also expressed surprise at Europe’s continued reliance on the failed policy of sanctions. “It is surprising that Europe is still hopeful about the failed policy of imposing sanctions on others and is acting based on such a defeated experience,” he said.
Araghchi’s comments come days after a statement by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—the E3—who criticized what they claimed was “Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles.” The E3 also decided to “cancel bilateral air services agreements with Iran” and to pursue sanctions against Iran Air, accusing the airline of allegedly meddling in the war in Ukraine.
The Islamic Republic has consistently denied accusations of providing military support to Russia for the war in Ukraine. Numerous allegations have been raised against Iran, with Washington claiming that Tehran was supplying Moscow with drones for use in the war. However, no evidence was put forward to back any of the claims.
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