Araghchi: Messages Exchanged with the U.S., Both Directly and Indirectly
Tehran - BORNA - Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, on Tuesday summarized his activities during his trip to New York, saying: “It was a very busy week in New York with multiple engagements. Part of it was related to the snapback issue, but we also used the opportunity of the General Assembly to advance bilateral relations with other countries, participate in international gatherings, and attend sessions inside and outside the UN.”
“I held bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from over 31 countries”
Araghchi added: “I met bilaterally with the foreign ministers of more than 31 countries. Nuclear issues were discussed, Iran’s positions were presented, and bilateral relations were reviewed. Decisions were made regarding economic cooperation and the holding of joint commissions according to each country’s circumstances.”
He noted that he also took part in several important gatherings, including the Global Development Initiative meeting hosted by China, the commemoration of the 1500th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) initiated by Iran at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and a four-party meeting on Afghanistan involving Iran, Russia, China, and Pakistan. He further mentioned a meeting with the UN Secretary-General, during which Iran’s latest positions on the snapback issue were conveyed.
“We offered completely reasonable proposals”
Commenting on the snapback, the Foreign Minister said: “What we encountered was an attempt to extract unreasonable and impossible concessions from Iran. In return, we presented completely reasonable proposals, which even the Europeans admitted were reasonable.”
He explained that despite numerous meetings with the European troika, the UN Secretary-General, and the IAEA Director General, no compromise was reached. “Because of the Americans’ excessive demands and the Europeans’ alignment with them, we could not come to an agreement. We are here to defend the rights and interests of the Iranian people, and certainly no agreement that fails to guarantee those interests will be accepted by us.”
“Messages were exchanged with the Americans”
Araghchi stressed: “Messages were exchanged with the Americans, both through intermediaries and directly. Ultimately, we are reassured that everything necessary was done, and it became once again evident—as the Supreme Leader has repeatedly said—that negotiations with the United States are an absolute dead end.”
“We will not be intimidated by the snapback”
He further stated: “They thought the so-called snapback mechanism would frighten us into giving concessions. Absolutely not. The Iranian people will see that economically, no sanctions beyond what the U.S. has already imposed will be added. Some lists may be adjusted, but these have no extraordinary impact. Politically and strategically, of course, there are implications that we must confront.”
“The legal challenge now lies ahead at the UN Security Council”
The Foreign Minister added: “I spoke with the UN Secretary-General about the steps the Secretariat has begun to take. From now on, the challenge is a legal one at the Security Council and the UN. Russia and China share our position that what has been done is illegal, baseless, and should not be recognized.”
Araghchi concluded: “We are facing new circumstances at the Security Council, the UN, and the IAEA. From our perspective, there was no consensus at the Council for a snapback decision. Russia and China agree. Now these issues must be examined within the Supreme National Security Council and its nuclear committee. Based on all conditions, whatever serves the national interest will be implemented, and I am confident that sound and calculated decisions will be made.”
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