Iran’s foreign minister stated in a televised interview on Tuesday that an attack on the country’s nuclear facilities would be “crazy” and would severely damage the region, while also undermining any chances for negotiations with the U.S. He called on Washington to first seek Tehran’s favor before any talks could take place.
Abbas Araghchi also made a rare acknowledgment that Iran’s allied terror groups, Hezbollah and Hamas, had suffered setbacks, although he claimed they would recover. He humorously suggested that instead of relocating Gazans, U.S. President Donald Trump should send Israelis to Greenland.
During the interview with Sky News, Araghchi downplayed Israeli warnings that it might take military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“We have made it clear that any attack to our nuclear facilities would be faced with an immediate and decisive response,” Araghchi stated in English. “But I don’t think they will do that crazy thing.” He added, “This is really crazy. And this would turn the whole region into a very bad disaster.” Nevertheless, he maintained that the Israeli threats were not genuine.
On Thursday, Trump refused to comment on whether the U.S. would back an Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear program. “Hopefully that can be worked out without having to worry about it,” he said. “It would really be nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step.”
Araghchi responded by saying Iran was not prepared to negotiate with the Trump administration and warned that Tehran might withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) if no agreement on its nuclear program is reached.
“The situation is different and much more difficult than the previous time,” Araghchi said. “Lots of things should be done by the other side to buy our confidence.”
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but it has significantly increased its uranium enrichment and expanded its fissile material stockpile since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions.
“We tried the path of negotiations and confidence building… but then it turned into a bad experience, sanctions came back,” Araghchi said.
The foreign minister emphasized that October would be a critical month, as it marks the deadline for world powers that are still part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to fully reimpose sanctions on Iran. Araghchi warned that such an action would lead to Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT.
“It is under consideration. There is a hot debate going on in Iran about that alternative,” he said. “The debates are very hot. At all levels.”
Araghchi acknowledged the significant losses suffered by Hezbollah and Hamas due to Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key Iranian ally. However, he dismissed these developments, saying, “things that happen.”
Pressed further on the matter, he admitted that both Hamas and Hezbollah had been “rendered several serious blows.”
“Hamas and Hezbollah have been damaged. But at the same time, they are rebuilding themselves,” he added, switching to Farsi.
Araghchi also mocked Trump’s suggestion that Gazans be relocated to Jordan and Egypt, joking instead that Israelis should be moved to Greenland.
“My suggestion is something else,” he said with a laugh. “Instead of Palestinians, try to expel Israelis, take them to Greenland so they can kill two birds with one stone.”
{Matzav.com}