“Unfortunately, we have lost our trust (in) the US as a negotiating partner,” Araqchi said, but the exchange of messages through friendly countries in the region was facilitating “fruitful” talks with the US.
Refusing to promise that Iran would engage in direct talks with US negotiators, Araqchi highlighted the need to address the “substance of negotiations” rather than the form.
Pressed by CNN on questions of Iran’s missile arsenal and the Yemen-based Houthis, Araqchi said the focus must be on Iran’s nuclear capabilities instead.
“Let’s not talk about impossible things,” he said, “And not lose the opportunity to achieve a fair and equitable deal to ensure no nuclear weapons. That as I said, is achievable even in a short period of time.”
In return, Araqchi said that Tehran would expect the lifting of US sanctions as well as respect for Iran’s right to continue nuclear enrichment for peaceful purposes.
If talks fail, Iran was ready for war, Araqchi promised, although a conflict would likely spiral beyond Iran, he said.
But a war, “would be a disaster for everybody,” Araqchi said, and US bases across the region would be targets for Iran’s military, which had seen the limitations and strengths of its missile arsenal in last year’s 12-day war against the Israeli regime.
Asked about the government response to the recent unrest in Iran, Araqchi blamed terrorist elements receiving orders from abroad for stirring up dissent and provoking violence.
Talking about the violent peak of protests, he said, “We consider these three days as the continuation of those 12 days of war that was an operation led by Mossad from outside and of course, we crushed that operation.”
“There was no plan for the execution or hanging” of protestors, he said, denying Trump’s assertion that he had received guarantees from Iran that executions would be halted.
“I can affirm that the right to each and every person who is arrested and detained would be observed and guaranteed,” Araqchi said.