Iran expresses willingness to halt assaults against Israel and forgo nuclear arms
Ready to Nix the Nukes, but Not the Right to Enrich: Iran's Foreign Minister Speaks Out
Iran has made it clear that it's willing to sign an agreement guaranteeing its non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, according to a statement made by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on June 15. But, there's a catch. This would happen only if the aim isn't to curtail Iran's nuclear rights, as the foreign minister stressed.
"We're open to any deal that aims to ensure Iran doesn't have nuclear weapons, but if it's just about stripping us of our nuclear privileges, then forget it. Our principle has always been that nuclear weapons are forbidden," said Araqchi, commenting on the negotiations as reported by TASS.
The foreign minister also threatened to halt Iran's militant actions against Israel if they cease their aggression towards the republic. Araqchi requested the international community to stand against Israel's aggression, stating that this is the most effective way to bring peace to the beleaguered region.
The heated exchange between Iran and Israel culminated in a flurry of rocket strikes during the late hours, with both nations firing hypersonic missiles for the first time. Strategic targets in Tehran and Haifa were hit.
Interestingly, Iran had been open to a temporary truce with the United States in the past, potentially to avert or delay military actions. However, the recent Israeli attacks might have altered Iran's perspective and made them less willing to compromise.
It is crucial to mention that Iran had displayed interest in negotiating an interim deal with the United States, but the Israeli attacks may have complicated any bargaining. Moreover, the past few years have witnessed an impasse in nuclear negotiations concerning the revitalization of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The talks broke down due to Iran's escalation of uranium enrichment beyond limits set by the original agreement after the US withdrew in 2018 and applied sanctions.
In essence, Araqchi's words underscore Iran's determination to keep its nuclear enrichment capabilities and its resistance to U.S. demands, and raise concerns about the growing tensions in the region following the Israeli strikes.
"Iran has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions regarding non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, provided that its nuclear rights are not infringed upon; this was stated by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during his discussion on June 15. Amidst the war-and-conflicts and politics of the region, Araqchi also spoke about the general-news topic of Iran's stance on Israel's aggression, threatening to halt militant actions if Israel ceases their hostilities."
