Abbas Araghchi: Iran is Open to an Agreement Based on Respect and Mutual Benefit

In an interview with the British publication The Guardian, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that there are "unprecedented opportunities for friends of Iran and the USA to facilitate dialogue and ensure the full and verifiable implementation of any agreements."

He also emphasized: "In Iran, you will never win, President Trump, but we can succeed together through real negotiations."

Araghchi pointed out that "the US president has been misled into seeing Israel as a reliable ally and Iran as an enemy. He should pay attention to the real facts and reconsider his position."

The minister reminded that although Benjamin Netanyahu was able to draw the US into a conflict with Iran last year, it resulted in enormous costs for Israel. As Netanyahu turns to Trump for help, more and more Americans are beginning to realize that Israel is not an ally but a burden. Arab partners of the US have also concluded that Israel's reckless actions pose a danger to everyone.

According to Araghchi, "this opens pathways to new relations that can change our region. The American administration faces a choice: continue to support Israel, paying for it with American taxpayers' money and its reputation, or become part of positive changes. Western policy in our region has long been based on myths originating from Israel. The June War was a turning point that demonstrated the cost of mistakes when mythology takes the form of strategy."

Israel and its supporters claim a "decisive victory," however, Iran possesses significant strategic depth, comparable in size to Western Europe and with a population ten times that of Israel. Most Iranian provinces have not suffered from Israeli aggression, while Israelis have felt the power of Iran's armed forces. The narratives about Israel's invincibility have been put to rest.

The crisis caused by Iran's nuclear program clearly shows how myths created in Tel Aviv and spread by Israeli proxies fueled unnecessary conflicts. For decades, Iranians have asserted that they do not seek nuclear weapons — this is not just a tactical position, but a strategic doctrine based on religious and ethical principles. Nevertheless, during Trump's first term, the American administration was misled into believing that Iran was on the brink of collapse and that exiting the 2015 nuclear deal would lead to Tehran's capitulation. These misconceptions prompted Washington to abandon effective diplomacy in favor of a "maximum pressure" policy, which only led to "maximum resistance."

With each passing year, more Americans, especially those who wish to focus on domestic recovery, openly acknowledge that uncritical acceptance of Israeli narratives drains US resources and undermines trust in the country. Over the past two years, the Israeli regime has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and conducted attacks on Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and even Qatar. Almost all countries in the region have been threatened, and no sane person would call such aggression "self-defense." However, there are positive changes: there is a new momentum in the region to contain the Israeli threat, which calls into question the so-called "Abraham Accords" and opens up opportunities for new forms of cooperation.

Araghchi noted that "there is a unique opportunity for friends of Iran and the USA to facilitate dialogue and ensure the verifiable implementation of agreements reached. This sounds promising. Despite Israel's attacks on diplomacy during the Iranian-American nuclear negotiations, Iran remains open to agreements based on mutual respect and benefit. Achieving this goal depends on the US recognizing that negotiations are not equal to dictating terms of capitulation."

Iranians know from history that President Trump is not the first to oppose Iran, and they have witnessed the catastrophic consequences of attempts to engage with the US. If Trump wishes to earn trust and fulfill promises to his supporters, he should do what his predecessors could not: end the unnecessary crisis and achieve peace through diplomacy. The first step is to address the Iranian people with respect, without conditions. Iran has never sought war with the US, and the restraint of our generals in June confirms that American military facilities in our region remain intact. This restraint should not be confused with weakness.

The world should also remember that Iranians do not intend to renounce their rights, which must be respected by all signatories of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including access to peaceful nuclear technologies. We are ready for serious negotiations to achieve a fair agreement that should provide for a tangible and verifiable lifting of sanctions. Changes in our region could lead to the realization of agreements in completely new ways. For those willing to take risks, a short window of opportunity is opening. Fortune favors the bold, and it takes much more courage to break the vicious cycle than to continue it.