These statements were made during a press conference in Istanbul following Araghchi's meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He also commented on rumors of possible new military actions by the U.S. against Iran, reminding that in June Washington did not achieve its goals and "suffered defeat."
Araghchi warned that in the event of a new attack, Iran would be ready to give "a very strong response," adding that the country is currently better prepared for such a scenario than it was in June. He also noted that direct U.S. intervention in the conflict could lead to its expansion beyond a bilateral confrontation.
The minister emphasized that future negotiations will focus exclusively on nuclear issues, while questions regarding Iran's missile capabilities and defense systems will not be raised. "No country discusses its defense in negotiations," he stated.
It is worth recalling that last year Iran and the U.S. engaged in dialogue regarding the nuclear program; however, these negotiations were interrupted in June following attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iranian facilities.
Earlier, The New York Times reported that Donald Trump is demanding additional steps from Tehran to limit its nuclear program, including a complete halt to uranium enrichment and restrictions on the development of ballistic missiles. In the event of unsuccessful negotiations, the U.S. is considering various options for pressure on Iran, including military strikes on nuclear and missile facilities, but no final decision has been made yet.
