Beijing – SABA
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Saturday that the current ceasefire with the Zionist entity is fragile—“and for good reason,” he said, emphasizing that no truce from the Zionist entity can be trusted due to its deeply flawed and aggressive track record.
“Iran remains on full alert and ready to respond in case the agreement is violated,” he added. “This situation is not of Iran’s choosing—it never was. We did not want this war, but we were prepared for it. And we still do not want it to continue. Let me repeat: we are fully prepared.”
Araghchi also addressed the recent attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, stressing it proved once again that there is no military solution to Iran’s nuclear program. He reiterated that diplomacy and negotiations remain the only viable path forward.
“This can only happen,” he said, “if the other party abandons its military ambitions and compensates Iran for the damage it has caused. Then, and only then, will Iran be ready to return to the negotiating table.”
Speaking to China’s CGTN on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting, Araghchi underscored Iran’s appreciation for the SCO and its role in helping Global South nations gain rightful standing on the international stage.
He described the Israeli and American aggression against Iran as a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter. “Moreover,” he said, “attacking nuclear facilities is a far more severe breach—an unforgivable crime under international law.” He warned that such attacks could trigger catastrophic environmental consequences for all humanity.
Responding to a question about his recent remarks that Iran still needs time to decide whether to resume nuclear talks with the United States, Araghchi said:
“If we’re still not convinced, it’s because we haven’t yet seen real political will from the other side to reach a fair, win-win agreement.”
“Our nuclear program is strictly peaceful, and we are completely confident of that,” he asserted. “We have no problem sharing that reassurance with others—but only through negotiations.”
He pointed to the 2015 nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group as a model:
“We reached a deal, it was signed, and the world celebrated it as a major diplomatic achievement. Iran upheld its commitments. Then suddenly, the United States chose to withdraw—an extremely unfortunate decision. Everything we’re witnessing now is a consequence of that withdrawal.”
Regarding the possibility of returning to the original agreement, Araghchi concluded, according to Iran’s IRNA agency:
“In my opinion, yes—it’s possible. But as I’ve said, it requires serious and genuine will from the other side. The military option must be abandoned, and a negotiated solution pursued.”
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