In his latest statements, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed confidence that Iran and the United States can reach an agreement on the nuclear issue, saying: If our right to enrich is respected, then every detail is negotiable and we can sit together in any way and reach a conclusion. This is my belief.
Publish dateMonday 2 February 2026 - 10:05
Story Code : 345217
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): "Seyed Abbas Araqchi," Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated in an interview with the CNN news agency on Sunday evening: "I am confident that we can reach an agreement with the United States on the nuclear weapons program."
Araqchi emphasized in this interview: "Unfortunately, we have lost our trust in the United States as a negotiating partner, but exchanging messages through friendly countries in the region will facilitate positive negotiations with the United States."
In response to questions about Iran’s missile arsenal and Yemen’s Ansarullah activities in the region, the Iranian foreign minister said that the focus should be on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while emphasizing: “Let’s not talk about impossible things and let’s not miss the opportunity to reach a fair and just agreement to ensure the absence of nuclear weapons. As I said, this can be achieved even in a short period of time.”
Stressing that US sanctions on Iran should be lifted, he added: “If the negotiations fail, Iran is ready for war.”
In response to a CNN reporter’s question about whether Iran is ready to talk directly with the American side if trust is built, Araqchi said: “Direct or indirect is just the form of the negotiation, but more importantly the content of the negotiation. We need trust. Maybe full trust will never return, but a minimum trust is needed. We are working with our friends in the region to find a way to build this level of trust and resume negotiations.”
Regarding US President Donald Trump’s claim that “negotiations with Iran are ongoing,” the Iranian Foreign Minister said: “This is being done through intermediaries. Some countries are conveying messages and trying to prepare the ground for a real and meaningful negotiation. We are in contact with them and messages are being exchanged.”
He also said about the quality of this exchange of messages: “I think so far, yes, it has been constructive.”
Regarding whether negotiations will begin as soon as possible, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran said: “Yes, that is the goal. Of course, first we want our rights to be respected and secondly, the sanctions to be lifted. The sanctions were imposed because there are concerns that our nuclear program could become a weapon, which is not the case as far as we are concerned. But we are ready to build confidence in our peaceful nuclear program, and of course we expect the sanctions to be lifted in return. As I said, if our right to enrichment is respected and we can continue our enrichment for peaceful purposes, then every detail is negotiable and we can sit together in any way and reach a conclusion. This is my belief.”
In response to a reporter’s question highlighting Iran’s military power in the region, Araqchi said: “To tell you honestly, we believe that the source of all tensions and conflicts in our region are foreign forces that have entered the region. We respect our neighbors and are always ready to engage with them so that we can discuss and consult about security, peace, and stability in the region.”
Continuing his remarks, he referred to the efforts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in maintaining the security of the Strait of Hormuz, adding: "We have been in contact with regional neighbors and key players and have had good discussions and are even ready to create a structure to talk to each other about peace and stability in the region. You see, peace and stability in this region is as important and vital to us as it is to others. We are a country on the Persian Gulf, and the security of this waterway is important to us so that we can export or trade our oil. The Strait of Hormuz is important to us and the whole world, and we have always kept it safe and ensured safe passage, and this is thanks to the efforts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that it protects safe passage, and we will continue to do so. I hope nothing happens that disrupts this security."
According to ISNA, Araqchi, in response to a question about the consequences of a possible war between Iran and the United States, stated: "I do not consider this an existential threat, but it will definitely be a major threat to everyone. If war breaks out, it will be a disaster for everyone. In the previous war, we tried very hard to keep the scope of the war between Iran and Israel limited. But this time, if the conflict is between Iran and the United States, given the dispersion of American bases in the region, many parts of the region will be involved, and this is very dangerous. We are ready for any eventuality and I can say with 100% certainty that our armed forces are ready and equipped, even more so than in the previous war. We learned a lot from the 12-day war and are now very ready, but being ready does not mean wanting war, but we want to prevent war."
Araqchi also addressed Trump's claim that as a result of his consultation, no executions had taken place in Iran, and publicly said: "There was no plan for executions and this is what I said in the Fox News interview and now, as you know, the rights of every detained person will be guaranteed."
In response to a question about the possibility of an agreement between Tehran and Washington, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated: "I think that if we somehow reach an understanding and if the misunderstandings and miscalculations are resolved, great opportunities will be created for economic cooperation between Iran and the United States, as well as the countries of the region. We basically have no problem cooperating with American companies. It is the United States that has a problem with the sanctions it has imposed on Iran. They do not allow American companies to work with Iran unless they receive a special permit. So if we can reach an agreement and the sanctions are lifted, there will be a great possibility and opportunity for everyone to do business with Iran."
Araqchi emphasized in this interview: "Unfortunately, we have lost our trust in the United States as a negotiating partner, but exchanging messages through friendly countries in the region will facilitate positive negotiations with the United States."
In response to questions about Iran’s missile arsenal and Yemen’s Ansarullah activities in the region, the Iranian foreign minister said that the focus should be on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while emphasizing: “Let’s not talk about impossible things and let’s not miss the opportunity to reach a fair and just agreement to ensure the absence of nuclear weapons. As I said, this can be achieved even in a short period of time.”
Stressing that US sanctions on Iran should be lifted, he added: “If the negotiations fail, Iran is ready for war.”
In response to a CNN reporter’s question about whether Iran is ready to talk directly with the American side if trust is built, Araqchi said: “Direct or indirect is just the form of the negotiation, but more importantly the content of the negotiation. We need trust. Maybe full trust will never return, but a minimum trust is needed. We are working with our friends in the region to find a way to build this level of trust and resume negotiations.”
Regarding US President Donald Trump’s claim that “negotiations with Iran are ongoing,” the Iranian Foreign Minister said: “This is being done through intermediaries. Some countries are conveying messages and trying to prepare the ground for a real and meaningful negotiation. We are in contact with them and messages are being exchanged.”
He also said about the quality of this exchange of messages: “I think so far, yes, it has been constructive.”
Regarding whether negotiations will begin as soon as possible, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran said: “Yes, that is the goal. Of course, first we want our rights to be respected and secondly, the sanctions to be lifted. The sanctions were imposed because there are concerns that our nuclear program could become a weapon, which is not the case as far as we are concerned. But we are ready to build confidence in our peaceful nuclear program, and of course we expect the sanctions to be lifted in return. As I said, if our right to enrichment is respected and we can continue our enrichment for peaceful purposes, then every detail is negotiable and we can sit together in any way and reach a conclusion. This is my belief.”
In response to a reporter’s question highlighting Iran’s military power in the region, Araqchi said: “To tell you honestly, we believe that the source of all tensions and conflicts in our region are foreign forces that have entered the region. We respect our neighbors and are always ready to engage with them so that we can discuss and consult about security, peace, and stability in the region.”
Continuing his remarks, he referred to the efforts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in maintaining the security of the Strait of Hormuz, adding: "We have been in contact with regional neighbors and key players and have had good discussions and are even ready to create a structure to talk to each other about peace and stability in the region. You see, peace and stability in this region is as important and vital to us as it is to others. We are a country on the Persian Gulf, and the security of this waterway is important to us so that we can export or trade our oil. The Strait of Hormuz is important to us and the whole world, and we have always kept it safe and ensured safe passage, and this is thanks to the efforts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that it protects safe passage, and we will continue to do so. I hope nothing happens that disrupts this security."
According to ISNA, Araqchi, in response to a question about the consequences of a possible war between Iran and the United States, stated: "I do not consider this an existential threat, but it will definitely be a major threat to everyone. If war breaks out, it will be a disaster for everyone. In the previous war, we tried very hard to keep the scope of the war between Iran and Israel limited. But this time, if the conflict is between Iran and the United States, given the dispersion of American bases in the region, many parts of the region will be involved, and this is very dangerous. We are ready for any eventuality and I can say with 100% certainty that our armed forces are ready and equipped, even more so than in the previous war. We learned a lot from the 12-day war and are now very ready, but being ready does not mean wanting war, but we want to prevent war."
Araqchi also addressed Trump's claim that as a result of his consultation, no executions had taken place in Iran, and publicly said: "There was no plan for executions and this is what I said in the Fox News interview and now, as you know, the rights of every detained person will be guaranteed."
In response to a question about the possibility of an agreement between Tehran and Washington, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated: "I think that if we somehow reach an understanding and if the misunderstandings and miscalculations are resolved, great opportunities will be created for economic cooperation between Iran and the United States, as well as the countries of the region. We basically have no problem cooperating with American companies. It is the United States that has a problem with the sanctions it has imposed on Iran. They do not allow American companies to work with Iran unless they receive a special permit. So if we can reach an agreement and the sanctions are lifted, there will be a great possibility and opportunity for everyone to do business with Iran."
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