This statement was made at a press conference in Istanbul, where Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. During the discussion, he commented on rumors of potential new military actions by the U.S. against Iran, emphasizing that Washington did not achieve its goals in June and "suffered a defeat."
Araghchi also added that in the event of a new attack, Iran is prepared to give a "very strong response," pointing out that the country is now better prepared for such a scenario than in June. He warned that direct U.S. involvement in the conflict could lead to its expansion beyond a bilateral confrontation.
An important point is that any possible negotiations will focus exclusively on the nuclear issue. Questions regarding Iran's missile program and defense systems will not be raised. "No state puts its defensive positions on the negotiating table," he stated.
Last year, Iran and the U.S. engaged in dialogue regarding the nuclear program; however, it was interrupted in June following attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iranian facilities.
According to information from The New York Times, Donald Trump is demanding additional steps from Tehran to roll back its nuclear program, including a complete cessation of uranium enrichment and restrictions on the development of ballistic missiles. If negotiations do not succeed, the U.S. is considering various pressure scenarios, including strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, but a final decision on such measures has not yet been made.
