Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran welcomes cessation of the Israeli regime’s genocide in the Gaza Strip, while advising serious caution in light of multiple instances of Tel Aviv’s betrayal of previous agreements.
The top diplomat made the remarks in an extensive televised interview on Saturday, addressing the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas’ recently agreeing to implementation of a first phase of a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the two-year-plus genocide.
“We have always supported any plan or initiative that would put an end to the crimes and genocide against the people of Gaza,” he said, but cautioned, “There is absolutely no trust in the Zionist regime, and there have been multiple instances where it has violated ceasefires.”
Araghchi said the Islamic Republic has issued necessary warnings about the possibility of non-commitment to ceasefire by either the regime or the United States that has devised the plan.
He reminded that Palestinian groups have only agreed to the first phase of the proposal, noting that more difficult stages lied ahead and asserting that there were “serious doubts” regarding the US’s adherence to its claims and promises concerning Gaza.
“That will be the time to see to what extent the American officials and other parties will remain committed to the claims and promises they have made.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, the official addressed US President Donald Trump’s having tried to tie such regional issues with the issue of talks concerning Iran’s nuclear energy program.
He ruled out any connection between the two matters.
“We have always stated firmly that our negotiations are limited solely to the nuclear issue,” Araghchi stated.
“Neither in the past nor recently have we ever, ever, held any talks with the Americans or any other party on any matter beyond the nuclear issue, especially as far as the resistance is concerned.”
Utter rejection of ‘Abraham Accords’
Araghchi categorically ruled out any prospect of Iran’s jointing the so-called Abraham Accords that has seen the US broker détentes between some regional states and the Israeli regime.
He called the accords “treacherous” and geared towards enabling recognition of an illegitimate, occupying, genocidal, and child-killing regime, normalization of relations with it, and deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights.
“This plan is entirely incompatible with our ideals, and such a thing (Iran’s participation in it) will never happen.”
‘No grounds for negotiations with Europe’
Aragchi separately addressed the issue of the European trio of the UK, France, and Germany’s having proposed fresh talks with Iran.
He noted that the offer came, while the countries in question had triggered the so-called “snapback” mechanism inside a 2015 nuclear deal that has re-imposed nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
“We do not see any grounds for negotiation with the Europeans,” he said, reiterating Tehran’s position that by triggering the mechanism, the Europe had lost its role in the nuclear issue.
“They should give us just one reason why we should negotiate with them again.”
‘US shouldn’t mistake negotiation with dictating’
The foreign minister cited Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as describing talks with the US as “a complete deadlock.”
He, however, noted that “this does not mean a total rejection of negotiations.”
“If a reasonable, balanced proposal based on mutual interests and mutual respect is presented, one that safeguards the interests of the Iranian people from a position of equality, it will certainly be considered.”
Therefore, in order for fresh talks to take place, the US should “not mistake negotiation with dictating” its preferences, he added.
‘Witkoff turned down multilateral talks’
Araghchi said US envoy Steve Witkoff had voiced readiness for talks, but then refused to join multi-party discussions also involving Europeans and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s director general.
“The reason was that he had insisted that we accept their demands before holding the meeting.”
(This item will be updated).