Araghchi: Iran Ready for Any Scenario, but War Is Unlikely

Araghchi (center) speaks during a meeting with Iranian Red Crescent officials (IRNA).
Araghchi (center) speaks during a meeting with Iranian Red Crescent officials (IRNA).
TT

Araghchi: Iran Ready for Any Scenario, but War Is Unlikely

Araghchi (center) speaks during a meeting with Iranian Red Crescent officials (IRNA).
Araghchi (center) speaks during a meeting with Iranian Red Crescent officials (IRNA).

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the possibility of war with the United States, asserting that Iran’s high level of military preparedness serves as a deterrent to any external threats. However, he emphasized that Tehran remains fully prepared for any scenario, including military confrontation.
Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted Araghchi as saying that the armed forces, emergency response units, government, and people “are all on high alert.” He added that Iran’s state of readiness makes any attack against the country highly unlikely, as potential aggressors understand the severe consequences.
“I am confident there will be no war, because we are fully prepared for such a scenario,” he stated.
Later, speaking to reporters, Araghchi reiterated that Iran would not engage in direct negotiations with the US under the current “maximum pressure” campaign.
“Our policy is clear: no direct negotiations with Washington under threats and sanctions,” he said. “Unless there is a fundamental shift in their approach, Iran’s position will not change.”
He added that while Iran does not rule out diplomacy, direct talks remain off the table unless the US abandons its pressure tactics. “Despite keeping the door open for indirect dialogue, we will not miss any opportunity that serves our national interests,” he noted.
This month, Tehran received a message from US President Donald Trump, reportedly giving Iran a two-month deadline to decide between entering new negotiations or facing possible military action.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on foreign policy and the nuclear program, rejected the proposal, calling it deceptive. He warned that talks with the Trump administration would only lead to harsher sanctions and increased pressure on Iran.
In a televised interview on Thursday, Araghchi described Trump’s message as a mix of threats and opportunities, adding that Tehran would respond in due course.
Iranian media previously quoted Araghchi as saying that Iran’s current strategy prioritizes indirect negotiations with the US. His comments were made during a press interview on March 13.
Araghchi explained that Iran’s stance is based on past experiences and present realities. “Given the current conditions, direct talks with the US are impossible unless certain key factors change,” he said.
Regarding Khamenei’s opposition to negotiations, Araghchi noted that the Supreme Leader sees no logical justification for direct talks while Washington continues its maximum pressure strategy.
“We have always sought to avoid war,” Araghchi said. “We are prepared for it and do not fear it, but we do not seek it either.”
He emphasized that Iran’s foreign policy is centered on diplomacy and de-escalation, except in cases where military confrontation becomes unavoidable.

 



Iran FM Araghchi Arrives in Oman Ahead of Nuclear Talks with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives ahead of negotiations with the US, in Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025. Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives ahead of negotiations with the US, in Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025. Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters
TT

Iran FM Araghchi Arrives in Oman Ahead of Nuclear Talks with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives ahead of negotiations with the US, in Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025. Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives ahead of negotiations with the US, in Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025. Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters

Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on Friday ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States, after both sides said progress had been made in previous rounds.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X that "Araghchi and his accompanying delegation arrived in Muscat for the third round of Iran-US talks".

Iran's Mehr news agency released a brief video showing the foreign minister disembarking from an Iranian government plane in Muscat.

Baqaei said Araghchi would be leading the delegation of diplomats and technical experts in the indirect discussions with the US side.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will represent the United States in the talks.

The latest round will include expert-level talks on Iran's nuclear program, with Michael Anton, who serves as the State Department's head of policy planning, leading the technical discussions on the US side, the department said.

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi will lead the Iranian technical team.

Baqaei wrote on X that Iran's delegation is "resolved to secure our nation's legitimate and lawful right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while taking reasonable steps to demonstrate that our program is entirely peaceful".

"Termination of unlawful and inhumane sanctions in an objective and speedy manner is a priority that we seek to achieve," he added.

According to Baqaei, the dialogue will again be mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Saturday morning.

The meeting follows two earlier rounds of Omani-mediated negotiations in Muscat and Rome starting on April 12.

- Calling for 'goodwill' -

Since his return to office in January, Trump has reimposed sweeping sanctions under his policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran.

In March, he sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei calling for talks but warning of possible military action if they failed to produce a deal.

Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons -- an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, insisting that its program is for peaceful civilian purposes.

Baqaei earlier Friday said "progress in the negotiations requires the demonstration of goodwill, seriousness, and realism by the other side".

Iran will treat Saturday's talks seriously, Araghchi said in a recent interview, "and if the other party also enters seriously, there is potential for progress".

In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from a nuclear deal signed three years earlier between Tehran and major world powers. The agreement eased sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

After Trump's pullout, Tehran complied with the agreement for a year before scaling back its compliance.

Iran currently enriches uranium up to 60 percent, far above the 3.67 percent limit in the 2015 deal but still below the 90 percent threshold required for weapons-grade material.

In an interview published by Time Magazine on Friday, Trump said the United States will "lead the pack" in attacking Iran if nuclear talks do not lead to a new deal.

But he expressed hope that an agreement could be reached and said he would be willing to meet Khamenei.