Araghchi: Cairo Agreement No Longer Applicable
Tehran - BORNA - Araghchi made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions on Sunday, October 5, following his meeting with ambassadors and heads of foreign and international missions in Tehran.
He explained that the meeting aimed to provide clarifications regarding the implications and consequences of the snapback mechanism, so that all sides could understand “the situation created by the Western countries in the UN Security Council and the legal and political challenges that may follow this decision.”
“Only the Nuclear Issue Has Been Discussed with the U.S.”
Araghchi emphasized that Iran has consistently sought a fair and balanced negotiated solution, but it was the Western countries who “responded negatively due to their excessive and unreasonable demands.”
In response to a question about media reports claiming that Washington had set four new conditions for negotiations, including non-nuclear issues, he stated: “The so-called conditions mentioned in the media have never been officially communicated to us. In recent months, we have only discussed the nuclear issue with the Americans — indirectly. Messages have been exchanged directly, indirectly, or through intermediaries, but no topic other than the nuclear issue has ever been discussed.”
He continued, saying that Iran’s proposals were completely clear and that diplomacy could have succeeded “if those proposals had been considered and if opportunities for dialogue had not been restricted.”
“Even now,” he added, “a negotiated solution remains possible — provided the other side engages with genuine goodwill and mutual respect.”
“The Cairo Agreement No Longer Serves as the Basis for Cooperation”
Asked about the status of Iran-IAEA cooperation following the implementation of the snapback mechanism, Araghchi said: “We signed an agreement with the Agency to establish a new framework of cooperation — for very clear reasons. Following the field developments and the attack on our facilities, cooperation with the IAEA could not continue in its previous form. Due to existing safety and security concerns, a new framework was necessary.”
He explained that the Agency had accepted this need, and “after several rounds of negotiations, the talks were concluded in Cairo and the Cairo Agreement was signed.”
However, he stressed: “Now, the Cairo Agreement can no longer serve as the basis for our cooperation with the Agency. Iran’s decision regarding the continuation of cooperation will be announced in due course. The implementation of the snapback mechanism has changed everything, just as the military attack had done before. New conditions require new decisions. From my point of view, the Cairo Agreement is no longer functional under the current circumstances.”
“No Justification for Implementing Snapback”
Reaffirming the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, Araghchi stated: “To demonstrate the peaceful intent of its nuclear program and its goodwill toward a negotiated solution that safeguards Iran’s interests and builds confidence, the Islamic Republic of Iran has already taken every necessary step.”
He added that Tehran had fully cooperated with the IAEA, engaged in diplomatic dialogue, and presented constructive and balanced proposals.
“There is now no valid excuse for Western countries to accuse Iran of avoiding negotiations or failing to cooperate with the Agency,” he said. “Nor is there any legitimate justification for implementing the snapback — just as there was no justification for the previous military attack against Iran.”
“Iran Will Not Renounce Its Rights”
The Iranian Foreign Minister continued: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated in practice that it does not seek tension or conflict, nor does it pursue nuclear weapons. It merely seeks to exercise and protect its legitimate rights. Iran will not renounce its rights, but it remains open to any solution that can build confidence.”
Recalling the U.S.-Israeli military attacks against Iran earlier this year, Araghchi noted: “During those attacks, over 120 countries and almost all international organizations condemned the aggression and expressed solidarity with Iran — recognizing it as a rational and responsible actor that was targeted while engaged in negotiations.”
He underlined that Iran “continues to act as a wise, reasonable, and intelligent player in international relations — unwavering in its rights, yet ready for any balanced solution that strengthens trust in the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.”
“Europe’s Role Has Significantly Diminished”
When asked about Iran’s future engagement with the three European countries, Araghchi stressed that “experience has proven there is no alternative to a negotiated diplomatic solution regarding Iran’s nuclear issue.”
He said the Europeans had repeatedly issued threats — including of military action and the snapback mechanism — but both had failed to resolve the matter: “They believed the snapback mechanism was a pressure lever. Now they have used it and seen the result: it solved nothing and merely complicated diplomacy.”
Araghchi emphasized that “diplomacy never ends”, but the conditions, parties, and dynamics will change: “We are now facing a completely different situation. The three European countries have certainly diminished their own role and have almost lost the rationale for further talks. In any future negotiated solution, they will play a far smaller role than before.”
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