Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the continued tensions with america and developments within the area throughout an interview with U.S. media. Responding to experiences suggesting that Iran had requested a ceasefire or negotiations, Araghchi denied the claims and said that Iran would proceed its protection for so long as essential.
“We by no means requested for a ceasefire”
Araghchi rejected allegations that Iran had requested a ceasefire or negotiations.
“We by no means requested for a ceasefire, and we didn’t request negotiations both. We’re able to defend ourselves for so long as it takes, and we’ve performed so till now. We are going to proceed our protection till President Trump understands that this struggle is illegitimate and can’t be received.”
“We’ve no good expertise negotiating with the U.S.”
Talking about doable talks with Washington, Araghchi mentioned Iran had little cause to return to negotiations.
“We see no cause to speak with the People as a result of after they determined to assault us, we had been already negotiating with them. This has occurred for the second time, and we shouldn’t have a very good expertise negotiating with america. We had been attacked whereas talks had been ongoing. What profit would there be in returning to the negotiating desk?”
“We solely goal U.S. property and bases”
Araghchi additionally rejected accusations that Iran’s assaults within the area focused civilians.
“We solely goal U.S. property, services, and navy bases belonging to america. The whole lot we’ve focused belongs to the U.S. The truth is that some international locations’ territories are getting used to launch assaults towards us.”
He added that Iran had just lately confronted assaults on its islands utilizing short-range HIMARS rockets and claimed the assault was launched from the territory of the United Arab Emirates. Araghchi additionally referred to an incident during which three F-15 fighter jets reportedly crashed in Kuwait, questioning why these plane had been working there.
“The Strait of Hormuz isn’t closed”
Commenting on safety within the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi mentioned Iran had not closed the strategic waterway.
“We’re prepared to speak with international locations that wish to talk about the secure passage of their ships. Nevertheless, the ultimate determination belongs to our navy forces. We’ve not closed the Strait of Hormuz. Ships are avoiding the area due to the insecurity brought on by U.S. assaults.”
“Enriched uranium is underneath the rubble”
Araghchi additionally addressed questions in regards to the location of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
“The determine of round 440 kilograms of enriched uranium was confirmed and introduced by the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company. This isn’t a secret. Our nuclear services had been attacked, and every thing is now underneath the rubble. In fact it could be doable to retrieve it, however solely underneath the supervision of the Company. In the intervening time we’ve no plan to take away it.”
Proposal to dilute 60% enriched uranium
Araghchi mentioned that earlier than the latest assaults, Iran had supplied to dilute uranium enriched to 60 p.c as a part of discussions with america.
“This was one of many parts of the settlement we had been negotiating with the People. I supplied to scale back the enrichment degree of those supplies. It was an necessary proposal and a big concession to point out that Iran isn’t looking for nuclear weapons and by no means will.”
“No proposal on the desk proper now”
Araghchi concluded by saying that there’s at the moment no lively proposal for negotiations.
“The whole lot depends upon the longer term. If we resolve to return to negotiations with america or different events, then we’ll decide what to placed on the desk. For now, there isn’t any proposal on the desk.”
