Araghchi: No deal if goal is to ‘deprive’ Iran of peaceful nuclear activities
Egypt welcomes efforts for conclusion of Iran-US talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that a nuclear deal with the US would not be possible if tahe goal of the negotiations is to "deprive Iran of its peaceful nuclear activities."
"If the goal of the negotiations is to gain reassurance and confidence that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, then in my view, reaching an agreement is possible," he said in a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo where he also met with the head of the UN atomic agency Rafael Grossi.
"But if the goal is to deprive Iran of its peaceful activities, then certainly no agreement will be reached," he continued.
Araghchi, who arrived in Cairo on Sunday night for a two-day visit to Egypt and Lebanon, said that Iran has a peaceful nuclear program and is prepared to provide this assurance to any party or entity.
“We have nothing to hide in this regard."
The remarks came after Grossi on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that claimed Tehran had stepped up uranium enrichment.
Since April 12, Iran and the US have held five rounds of nuclear talks to resolve a decades-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
Both sides have described the talks as “positive and constructive.”
However, in recent weeks, the two countries have clashed over the issue of uranium enrichment in Iran, which Washington says must be brought to zero. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian purposes and views its enrichment industry as a red line.
Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating between Iran and the US, presented elements of a US proposal for a nuclear deal between during a short visit to Tehran on Saturday.
Response to US proposal
“We will give an appropriate response to the American proposal soon. This response will be based on the positions and principles of the Iranian nation and will protect the rights of the Iranian nation,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
Araghchi emphasized that there will be no agreement without respect for Iran’s right to enrichment. He underlined that Iran's uranium enrichment is entirely peaceful and a scientific achievement.
“Enrichment is our right based on international treaties, and this right cannot be taken away from Iran.”
Removal of sanctions
Araghchi also said that Iran’s main demand in the negotiations is the lifting of the “oppressive sanctions against the Iranian nation."
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that it would have to see if there are changes in the US position on sanctions.
"I regret to inform you that the American side has not yet been willing to clarify this issue," he said in a weekly press conference in Tehran.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Cairo welcomes Oman’s mediating efforts in the talks, adding that, “We are ready to provide any necessary support for the success of the peaceful path to reaching an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue.”
Israel’s crimes in Gaza
The Iranian foreign minister also held a separate meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, during which Araghchi called on Muslim countries to take “collective and effective” measures to end Israel’s crimes in Gaza and the regime’s expansionism and occupation in Lebanon and Syria.
He said the oppressed people of Palestine in Gaza are suffering a “painful” situation as the Israeli regime continues its genocidal war in the besieged Strip.
The Egyptian president, for his part, said his country has made efforts to stop Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Sisi added that Egypt’s stance is based on controlling and preventing the escalation of tensions and establishing peace in the region as well as safeguarding the interests of Muslim nations.