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Deputy FM urges West to pursue diplomacy instead of sanctions in nuclear talks
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, made the remarks at a high-level session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, where he said years of pressure had proven ineffective.
“Sanctions and war have been tried in relation to Iran and have not worked. Now it is time to experience respect and diplomacy,” he said.
Iran and the United States have so far held two rounds of nuclear negotiations, with a third scheduled for Thursday in Geneva after Tehran submits its draft proposal. The renewed diplomatic push comes after months of stalled contacts following a 12-day conflict involving Israel and the United States, which disrupted earlier talks.
The latest efforts are unfolding amid a US military buildup in the region and repeated warnings from Washington that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails. Tehran has also warned that any aggression would face a firm response.
Gharibabadi stressed that while Iranians are not inclined to aggression, they are prepared to defend their country decisively.
“Iran and Iranians will stand with strength against any military or political plot targeting their homeland,” he said.
He added that Iran’s adversaries might be able to start a war but would not determine how it ends, warning that any conflict would not remain limited to the two sides but could engulf the wider region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also recently reiterated in a post on X that Tehran is committed to regional peace and stability. He said the latest negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded “encouraging signals,” while stressing that Iran continues to closely monitor US actions and remains prepared for all scenarios.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said in an interview with CBS that there is still a strong chance of reaching a diplomatic solution based on a “win-win” framework.
“There is no need for any military buildup. Increasing military pressure cannot help and will not put us under pressure,” he said.
Meanwhile, Omani sources said Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, is expected to travel to Muscat on Tuesday as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, potentially with a focus on the security dimensions.
Oman continues to mediate between Tehran and Washington, hosting negotiations in Muscat and other diplomatic venues.