Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has stated that while Tehran is not seeking direct negotiations with Washington, a nuclear agreement remains achievable through indirect channels.
Speaking to Qatar's Al Jazeera in an interview aired Saturday, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s willingness to engage in dialogue over its nuclear programme, stressing that the country’s uranium enrichment activities are non-negotiable.
“We have no desire to hold direct negotiations with Washington, but we can achieve an agreement through indirect negotiations,” he said, as reported by Xinhua.
Araghchi reiterated the peaceful intent of Iran’s nuclear efforts, adding that “what could not be achieved by war cannot be achieved through politics.” He revealed that Iran’s 400 kg stockpile of 60% enriched uranium remains buried beneath the ruins of its bombed atomic sites and has not been relocated.
Referring to the US-led bombing of Iran’s Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear facilities on 22 June, Araghchi acknowledged significant structural and equipment losses but maintained that Iran’s technological capabilities remain intact.
Prior to the June airstrikes, initially launched by Israel and later joined by US forces, Iran and the United States had conducted five rounds of indirect negotiations focused on Tehran’s nuclear programme and the lifting of US sanctions.
In recent months, Washington has repeatedly urged Iran to halt uranium enrichment and scale back its missile development. Tehran has firmly rejected these demands, declaring both issues off the negotiating table.
(Inputs from IANS)