Iran's FM rules out talks with US, says nuclear deal needs revision

Iran's Foreign Minister said talks with the United States are currently impossible unless significant changes occur as Washington awaits Tehran's response to its invitation for talks on a new nuclear deal.

In a recent interview with Iranian news outlet Khabar Online published on Sunday, Abbas Araghchi attributed Iran's refusal to negotiate with the US to historical experience, rather than intransigence.

"It's not stubbornness," he said, "but a matter of expert opinion." He pointed to the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term in 2018 as a major setback to diplomacy.

Araghchi, who served as a lead negotiator for Iran under the Rouhani administration, defended the original framework of the JCPOA but acknowledged that Iran's nuclear program had advanced considerably since the deal's implementation.

"The JCPOA, in its current form and text, is not viable for us. Our nuclear situation has progressed significantly, and we cannot revert to the previous conditions," he said.

He suggested that the JCPOA could serve as a basis and model for future negotiations, emphasizing the formula of Iran providing assurances about its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, he stressed that any new agreement would need to reflect the change in circumstances.

“After the JCPOA's collapse, talks continued indirectly, with EU mediation. We negotiated with the remaining parties, who relayed messages to the US. This persisted during (former president) Raisi's term, including Oman-brokered talks.

“We haven't abandoned negotiations; we're currently in indirect talks with European nations on the nuclear program, aiming for JCPOA-like sanctions relief,” he said, noting that “sanctions are European-held, requiring their engagement with the US... our current tactic is indirect dialogue."

While acknowledging that letters and communications could be part of diplomatic efforts, he also feared that they could be used as tools of pressure and threats.

The choice of the US to use the United Arab Emirates as a channel to deliver a message to Iran was a move the FM said he did not understand. Despite the UAE and Iran re-establishing diplomatic ties in 2022, following the 2016 Saudi embassy crisis that severed their relations for several years, the UAE has not previously participated in US-Iran negotiations.

"Officially, Switzerland has always been the US-Iran channel. Messages, from notes to letters, went through them. Occasionally, Oman helped. It's odd the US used the UAE for Trump's letter. I see no special significance; they simply chose that delivery method," he said.

Araghchi addressed concerns about Iran's regional diplomacy, particularly regarding his visit to Afghanistan. He clarified that Iran had not recognized the Taliban government and that his visit was necessary to discuss critical issues between the two countries.

He also highlighted Iran's efforts to counter US sanctions through regional diplomacy and trade with neighboring states amid the country's economic crisis. In addition to sanctions for Iran's nuclear program, the country has been sanctioned globally for human rights abuses and supporting Russia's war on Ukraine.

On relations with Russia, Araghchi emphasized a principle of "no surprises" and close consultations on regional matters.