Abbas Araghchi Says Iran Has No Trust in the United States in New Delhi Talks

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in New Delhi that Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and that the issue of Iran’s “enriched material” remains in “deadlock,” with the nuclear question likely to be “postponed” until later stages of talks.

Araghchi said the mediation process by Pakistan “has not failed yet, but it is in a very difficult course,” adding that it is “mostly because of the Americans' behaviour and the mistrust which exists between us.”

Al Jazeera

At the same time, United States President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was made as a “favour” to Pakistan, and he indicated he could accept a 20-year halt to Iran’s nuclear activity while dismissing Iran’s latest proposal as “unacceptable.”

NBC News reported that Araghchi said all vessels can pass through the Strait of Hormuz except those at war with Tehran, and that vessels wanting to transit should coordinate with its navy.

Araghchi also said Iran is attempting to preserve the current ceasefire “to give diplomacy an opportunity to move forward,” while insisting that “The mediation process by Pakistan has not failed yet” even as it faces “difficulties.”

Speaking at a media conference during a key BRICS meeting in New Delhi, Araghchi said, “We are in doubt about their seriousness,” but added that “the moment we feel that they are serious and they are ready for a fair and balanced deal, we will certainly proceed in the course of negotiations.”

Araghchi told reporters that he had spoken with Russian officials about Moscow’s offer to store Iran’s enriched uranium, and he said, “When we come to that stage, obviously we will have more consultations with Russia and see if the Russian offer can help or not.”

Al Jazeera

NDTV reported Araghchi’s message from Delhi that “No Military Solution, Negotiate Seriously,” quoting him saying, “We have no trust in Americans. This is the main obstacle in the way of any diplomatic effort,” as talks on ending the war remained on hold.

NBC News said talks mediated by Pakistan were suspended after Iran and the U.S. each rejected the other’s most recent proposals last week, and it quoted Araghchi saying “Contradictory messages” had made the Americans’ intentions “reluctant” to negotiations.

In the same New Delhi setting, Araghchi also blamed “Contradictory messages” for making Tehran reluctant, while insisting that the mediation process “has not failed but is in "difficulty".”

Araghchi said Iran is ready for both resumption of war and continuation of talks, telling a press conference in New Delhi that “Iran is ready for both scenarios: either it returns to the battlefield and war, or to the negotiating table.”

He framed the ceasefire as “unstable” but one Tehran is determined to give a diplomatic chance, and he said, “The most important issue today is trust. We cannot trust the Americans in any way,” while warning that “The messages we receive from the American side are contradictory — each day differs from the last.”

On the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said Iran’s position is conditional cooperation, stating that “Hormuz is open to all except those vessels of those countries who are in war with us,” while extending an olive branch to neutral trade by adding, “We are ready to help those who want to pass the Strait.”

NBC News reported that Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire last month but were struggling to thrash out a permanent peace pact, with talks mediated by Pakistan suspended after both sides rejected the other’s most recent proposals last week.

The Express Tribune also reported that Trump said he could accept a 20-year halt to Iran’s nuclear activity, while Araghchi’s comments in New Delhi emphasized that Tehran would negotiate only if the opposing side proves serious and corrects its course.