Speaking in a televised interview on Saturday night, Araqchi explained that the experiences of the past year—including talks with the US and European countries—have demonstrated the futility of negotiations that ignore Iran’s rights and realities.
Negotiation with the US, as Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has clearly stated, is “a complete dead end”, he said.
“As for the Europeans, they seek to push us into talks with the Americans. Therefore, there is no logical reason to negotiate with them either,” Araqchi stated.
However, the top diplomat emphasized that this does not mean Iran rejects dialogue altogether.
“If a proposal is reasonable, balanced, and based on mutual interests and respect, it will certainly be considered. We have always been advocates of dialogue. The flag of negotiation has always been in our hands,” Araqchi said.
He added that Iran’s position remains consistent, stressing that any talks must proceed from an equal footing, free of coercion or pressure, and must protect Iran’s national interests.
Turning to recent military tensions with the Zionist regime, Araqchi commented on reports of a telephone call between Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that while Moscow had relayed the message to Tehran, the development did not alter Iran’s field assessments.
“Our Armed Forces remain on full alert and continue to strengthen their capabilities daily. The Zionist regime is known for deception, and such announcements may well be part of a ploy,” he warned, adding that Putin’s public disclosure of the contact could have been intended to thwart such manipulation.
The foreign minister reiterated that the 12-day war experience had proven Iran’s firm stance against external aggression.
“The Islamic Republic will neither yield nor remain silent in the face of attack,” he said. “Our Armed Forces are fully prepared and focused on their duties, unaffected by psychological warfare or deception.”