Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed confidence that a ‘fair and equitable’ nuclear deal with the United States is achievable, despite ongoing U.S. military threats and a buildup of forces in the region, highlighting the need to rebuild trust through indirect negotiations facilitated by regional allies. In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Araghchi stated that he is ‘confident that we can achieve a deal’ on Tehran’s nuclear program, even as U.S. forces are poised for potential strikes. He acknowledged that Iran has lost trust in the U.S. as a negotiating partner due to past actions, but emphasized that message exchanges through friendly countries in the region are enabling ‘fruitful’ talks. This optimism was mirrored by U.S. President Donald Trump, who told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday that Iran is ‘seriously talking to us,’ though he refused to rule out military action.
The diplomatic efforts unfold against a backdrop of heightened tensions, with Trump warning Iran to make a deal or face consequences, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatening that any U.S. attack would spark a regional war. Araghchi downplayed the format of negotiations, whether direct or indirect, insisting that the focus should be on the substance—specifically, preventing nuclear weapons. He dismissed U.S. demands to include Iran’s ballistic missile program or regional proxies like the Houthis in Yemen, stating that negotiators should not pursue ‘impossible things’ and instead concentrate on a nuclear agreement.
In return for a deal, Araghchi said Tehran expects the lifting of U.S. sanctions, which have crippled Iran’s economy for over a decade, as well as respect for Iran’s right to continue nuclear enrichment for peaceful purposes. He warned that if talks fail, Iran is prepared for war, but stressed that a conflict would be ‘a disaster for everybody’ and likely escalate beyond Iran’s borders, targeting U.S. bases across the Middle East. Araghchi noted that Iran has learned from its previous conflict with Israel and has tested its missile capabilities in real combat, improving its readiness.
Regional diplomacy has intensified to avert conflict, with Qatar’s Prime Minister visiting Tehran on Saturday and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaking with Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who reiterated efforts to bring both sides back to the table. On the domestic front, Araghchi addressed recent anti-government protests in Iran, blaming ‘terrorist elements’ from abroad for the violence and denying any plans to execute detainees, asserting that the rights of all arrested individuals would be guaranteed.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides expressing a desire for negotiations but maintaining military postures. The outcome hinges on whether trust can be sufficiently rebuilt to allow for substantive talks, or if miscalculations could lead to a broader confrontation in an already volatile region.
