Speaking at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart in Tehran on Tuesday, Araqchi said Iran’s stance on the nuclear negotiations is clear.
“We won’t negotiate under pressures, threats and sanctions. Thus, direct negotiations between us and the US will be impossible as long as maximum pressure is in place,” he stated.
Araqchi also pointed to close consultations with Russia over Iran’s nuclear program.
“Our teams are in constant contact as we keep up these contacts. We briefed Mr. Lavrov on the talks with the European troika. We are moving in cooperation and coordination with Russia and China in regard to the nuclear issue,” the foreign minister added.
Highlighting the “extensive, good and constructive” talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Araqchi said the cooperation between Tehran and Moscow covers a broad range of issues.
“We have close stances on Syria. Iran favors Syria’s stability, calm and protection of its territorial unity according to the will of the Syrian people. We support peace,” he added.
For his part, Lavrov said the process of trade cooperation between Russia and Iran is suitable despite the sanctions.
Pointing to the talks about regional and international issues, he said Russia and Iran believe that the conflicts must be settled on the basis of the UN Charter.
On the discussions about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Lavrov said Moscow maintains that there is still the capacity for diplomacy that needs to be employed.
“We hope to find a solution. This crisis has not been created by Iran,” he stated.
Lavrov also noted that the two sides have discussed Syria, the Middle East developments, the Gaza crisis, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Ukraine.