Indirect talks with US strategic choice rooted in experience: Araghchi
5 Min Read
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi believes now is the time for the US to finally have a "president of peace," if it makes the right choices.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on December 30, 2024 (AP)
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi addressed US President Donald Trump's recent comments about potential talks with Iran, elaborating on Tehran's position, in an opinion piece in The Washington Post.
Araghchi expressed his belief that Iran's recent communication with the US is a genuine attempt at diplomacy.
He clarified that contrary to certain interpretations, the recent exchanges between both nations have not been "symbolic" or "ceremonial" but rather a sincere attempt to explain stances and open up a channel for diplomacy.
Regarding Trump's remarks on Monday, Araghchi noted that Iran is ready to engage in earnest and reach an agreement, meeting in Oman on Saturday to conduct indirect talks.
“Iran is ready to engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal. We will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect negotiations. It is as much an opportunity as it is a test," the Iranian foreign minister wrote.
He further noted that this is not an innovative task as the US itself is in the middle of indirect negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, a topic much more heated and complicated geopolitically, territorially, and economically, among others.
The top Iranian diplomat explained that he has had previous experience in indirect talks with the US mediated by the EU in 2021 and that although the process is more "convoluted and demanding than direct engagement," it was "possible and productive."
Araghchi revealed that although no solution was reached at the time, it was primarily due to the lack of real determination from the Biden administration. He maintained that indirect negotiations are a strategic choice "rooted in experience," citing a" significant wall of mistrust" paired with doubts about the true intentions of the American side, particularly as the administration continues to exert its "maximum pressure" campaign.
Moreover, he asserted that in order to move forward, there can be no "military option", let alone a "military solution", emphasizing that Trump is aware of this, as he urges a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Spending public resources to increase the US military presence in the region, perhaps jeopardizing American soldiers far from home, is not "conducive to a diplomatic outcome," Araghchi emphasized, adding that Iran will never tolerate coercion and imposition.
He warned that a fresh catastrophic war in the region under Trump's rule would "quickly extend across the region and cost exponentially more than the trillions of taxpayer dollars that his predecessors burned in Afghanistan and Iraq."
Araghchi highlighted two key points. First, he maintained that "Trump may not like the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement signed in 2015," although it entails one vital commitment, whereby 'Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons,' an obligation Iran has never violated, with no proof whatsoever indicating otherwise.
"This has been reaffirmed by US intelligence assessments time and again," the top Iranian diplomat asserted.
He also reiterated Iran’s objections to US and Western policies in the region, particularly the double standards on nuclear proliferation. Despite Iran’s cooperation under the JCPOA, he argued that the US and EU failed to fulfill their commitments, prompting Iran's insistence on guarantees for mutual compliance in any future agreements.
The second point Araghchi raised was a “misconception” that needed clarification, which is that Iran is economically closed off. He addressed this directly, writing, “The truth is that we are open to welcoming businesses from around the world. It is the US administrations and congressional impediments, not Iran," preventing American companies from accessing its trillion-dollar market.
He contended that after the US approved the sale of passenger planes under the JCPOA, Iran quickly secured a contract with Boeing for 80 aircraft, demonstrating the vast potential for trade. Iran remains open to indirect negotiations and believes diplomatic engagement can work if both sides are committed, with the US showing respect and fulfilling any agreements made, according to Araghchi.
"If we are shown respect, we will reciprocate it," he vowed, warning that "military buildups send the exact opposite signal. Mark my words: Iran prefers diplomacy, but it knows how to defend itself."
"We have never yielded to threats in the past, and we will neither do so now nor in the future. We seek peace, but will never accept submission."
He concluded by noting that the ball is now "in America's court," adding that if it seeks to impose its way through pressure, the Iranian people will "respond decisively to the language of force and threat in a unified way."
The US has a chance to "finally have a president of peace," Araghchi noted, adding that "whether or not to seize that opportunity is a choice."
