As Ready for War As We Are for Diplomacy, Declares Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in High-Stakes NBC Interview
NEW YORK: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran is just as ready for another large-scale military confrontation or a diplomatic breakthrough, emphasizing Iran’s desire for a “negotiated settlement” instead of a long war.In a sole interview with NBC News, Araghchi said Washington had rejected Tehran’s diplomatic efforts at the outset, saying he was surprised that Iran had made such comprehensive offers to improve regional security and shipping that could have been quickly accepted.
Key Points of Foreign Minister Araghchi’s RemarksReadiness on Both Fronts: “We are as ready for negotiations as we are for confrontation. War is not an option, and neither is it novelty concessions, it is about sovereign rights that Iran is demanding,” Araghchi declared, adding that Iran does not want war and wants a solution to the crisis by diplomacy.
The Foreign Minister reiterated the “first national economic interest” principle, and added that Tehran has no interest in the US political balancing acts in Washington that are related to the country’s mid-term elections.If the Strait of Hormuz is to be reopened, the following conditions must be met:
Araghchi restated his willingness to follow Iran’s proposed roadmap to normalizing passage through the vital Strait of Hormuz, if the U.S. commits itself to “specific and reciprocal” measures, such as “a cessation of hostile military activities” and “a removal of the blockade.”
The Foreign Minister renewed demands to immediately end the military confrontation in the country, which has been ongoing for eight months, and for the unconditional return of financially frozen assets and foreign reserves from abroad. International markets continue to closely watch developments in the Persian Gulf as diplomatic back channels are being tried through the help of regional brokers.