Western Countries Rejected Talks Due to Excessive Demands

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries based in Tehran, Araqchi said:

“Today’s meeting was arranged to brief the ambassadors on the latest discussions in New York. It was also necessary to provide explanations about the ‘snapback’ mechanism.”

He continued: “All countries should recognize Iran’s rightful position and understand the situation created by Western powers. Iran has worked for a fair and balanced negotiated solution, but it was the Western countries that responded negatively due to their excessive demands.”

Araqchi emphasized that the experience of negotiations in New York demonstrated that there is no alternative to a diplomatic solution for Iran’s nuclear issue:

“For years they threatened military action and resorted to the snapback mechanism. Our response was that, just as military attack was not a solution, neither is snapback. The three European countries thought they had this leverage, but when they used it, they saw it solved nothing.”

Araqchi said the three European countries involved had weakened their own role in the talks:

“Diplomacy does not end, but the question is how and with which parties it continues. The three European countries have certainly reduced their role and undermined the justification for negotiations. In any future negotiated solution, their role will be smaller.”

He rejected claims of additional conditions for the talks: “No such conditions were officially stated. Our negotiations were solely about the nuclear issue. Our proposals were clear, and had they been considered, a negotiated solution would not have been out of reach. This is still possible if they come to talks in good faith that benefit both sides.”

On cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Araqchi said:

“We signed an agreement with the Agency in Cairo outlining a new framework for cooperation. Given the attacks and existing concerns, cooperation as before was no longer feasible, and a new framework was needed.”

He added: “The Cairo agreement can no longer serve as the basis for our cooperation with the Agency. The snapback has changed all conditions, and we face a new situation that requires new decisions. The Cairo agreement is no longer effective.”

Araqchi stressed that Iran has acted in good faith: “Iran has taken every step it needed to, cooperating with the Agency and presenting fair proposals. The West has no excuse to claim that Iran has avoided negotiations or to justify triggering the snapback mechanism. Iran’s rightful stance has been made clear.”

He added: “Iran has demonstrated through its actions that it seeks only to secure its own rights and remains ready for any fair solution. The last time there was an attack, over 120 countries around the world condemned it because Iran acted as a rational player. Now too, Iran has shown that it is a prudent actor and will not relinquish its rights.”