2 weeks ago
23
A new idea has been proposed to resolve outstanding nuclear issues between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
In an interview on Thursday, Araghchi said that Tehran is cooperating with the IAEA and is currently examining a novel proposal to resolve the remaining disputes. "We are cooperating with [IAEA chief Rafael] Grossi and the IAEA, and a new idea has been put forward to resolve the issues, which we are currently reviewing," he said without elaborating.
Araghchi highlighted ongoing indirect negotiations through European channels and close consultations with Russia and China. "The negotiations are ongoing indirectly. The channel of the three European countries is open.”
He also noted the possibility of using indirect channels, such as those in Muscat, for negotiations. "Yes," he said, "it is not a strange method, and it has happened repeatedly throughout history. Countries that were not willing to talk to each other directly, talked indirectly. Therefore, indirect negotiation is feasible... What is important is that the will to negotiate and reach a fair and just agreement comes up in equal conditions, and the form of it does not matter."
Araghchi stressed that while the United States must ultimately lift sanctions, Iran will only engage in direct negotiations from a position of equality, free from pressure and threats, and with assurances that national interests will be protected.
Araghchi defended Iran's engagement with the world based on what he called the principles of dignity, wisdom, and expediency. He emphasized the need for meaningful steps to prevent a wider regional conflict and the importance of demonstrating the ineffectiveness of maximum pressure policies before engaging in direct negotiations.
"If we enter negotiations in a situation where the other side is imposing maximum pressure, we will enter negotiations from a position of weakness and will not achieve any results," Araghchi explained.
Earlier this month, Trump reinstated his "maximum pressure" campaign, aiming to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero—reviving Washington’s hardline approach from his first term.
In 2018, during his first term, Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions or JCPOA, and imposed 'maximum pressure' sanctions on Tehran, practically reducing Iran’s oil exports to less than 500,000 barrels per day and blocking the revenues in foreign banks.
Araghchi added, "This is not a matter of stubbornness or idealism, it is a matter of expertise. The other side must be shown that the pressure policy is not effective, so that we can sit at the negotiating table on equal terms."
He reiterated that Iran's strategy of patience is not passive but proactive, involving initiatives and planning for potential nuclear negotiations.
"Our strategy of patience is not based on passive patience, but on patience with initiative," he said. "We do not have a passive policy at all, sitting and watching what decision is made for us; no, even regarding possible nuclear negotiations, we have designs and plans."
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council convened amidst escalating pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear program.
The United States urged the Council to take decisive action, accusing Iran of flagrantly defying resolutions and violating IAEA safeguards. This call came as Britain signaled its willingness to trigger the so-called snapback of UN sanctions if Iranfails to curb its uranium enrichment activities.
The meeting, requested by six Security Council members—France, Greece, Panama, South Korea, Britain, and the US—focused on Iran's persistent non-compliance with IAEA requests for information.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by the approaching October 18th deadline, after which Britain, France, and Germany will lose their ability to unilaterally initiate the reinstatement of international sanctions. These nations have already informed the Council of their readiness to utilize the snapback mechanism to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
