US lacks genuine willingness to negotiate: Iranian foreign minister
US lacks genuine willingness to negotiate: Iranian foreign minister
M.U.H
27/11/202519
Tehran:Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran has always been ready to negotiate over its nuclear program, stressing that the problem lies in the American side’s lack of a “genuine willingness to negotiate.”
Araghchi made the remarks in an exclusive interview with France 24 on Wednesday during his visit to Paris, where he also held talks with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot.
“We are ready to negotiate. We have always been ready. In 2015, we negotiated and reached the nuclear agreement. In 2025, we were also in the middle of negotiations when the United States and Israel attacked us. We have always been ready to negotiate, but for genuine, serious negotiations. Negotiation means dialogue, not dictation,” the top diplomat said.
He added that whenever the US government announces its willingness to set aside its imposed demands and engage in a genuine, serious dialogue aimed at achieving mutual interests and a win–win outcome, Iran will never say ‘no.’
“But at the moment, we do not see such readiness from the United States,” Araghchi noted.
He also said that there has been no recent contact or exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington, adding that Iran is in no hurry to resume negotiations.
On the role of Saudi Arabia as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, Araghchi said there is trust between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and that the two sides have been improving and expanding their relations in recent years.
“Cooperation among regional countries, especially Iran and Saudi Arabia as two major powers, plays a key role in regional stability. But regarding the nuclear issue, our problem is not the absence of a mediator; the problem is the US approach and behavior itself,” he said.
Israel’s war of aggression
Araghchi said that Iran emerged victorious from the war with Israel and the US bombings in June.
When asked whether Israel intends to strike Iranian nuclear sites again, he responded: “If you have already acted and failed, logic dictates that repeating it will only lead to repeating your failure.”
Released French prisoners
The foreign minister was also asked about the fate of French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were convicted of espionage and recently released from prison, but are still under supervision in Iran. He confirmed that an agreement had been reached for their exchange with France.
“I hope, and I believe, that within the next two months, considering the judicial procedures, this exchange will take place. Everything is ready on Iran’s side, and Tehran is now waiting for the judicial process in France to conclude,” he said.
