Araghchi to Trump: Flattery Falls Short in Restoring Iran’s Trust

In recent statements, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that it would require much more than mere “nice words” from the new US administration for Tehran to engage in negotiations aimed at establishing a new agreement. This highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the Iran nuclear deal and the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.

During an interview with Sky News published on Tuesday, Araghchi reflected on the US’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, which occurred during the presidency of Donald Trump. He stressed that multiple actions must be taken by the US to “buy our confidence.”

The timeline of events is crucial to understanding the current situation:

• In May 2018, the US unilaterally exited the 2015 agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• The US adopted a policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran post-withdrawal.
• Despite Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA, certified multiple times by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tehran subsequently expanded its civilian nuclear activities, which were previously restricted.

Trump has indicated a preference for a diplomatic resolution, suggesting that a new deal with Iran would be “nice.” However, Araghchi pointed out that, “The situation is different and much more difficult than the previous time.” He further remarked, “We haven’t heard anything but the ‘nice’ word, and this is obviously not enough.”

In addition, Araghchi issued a stern warning regarding potential military actions against Iran, declaring that both Israel and the US would be “crazy” to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. He stated, “We have made it clear that any attack on our nuclear facilities would be met with an immediate and decisive response.” He added, “But I don’t think they will do that crazy thing. This is really crazy. And this would turn the whole region into a very bad disaster.”

Moreover, Araghchi criticized Trump’s controversial remarks about Gaza, which called for the expulsion of Palestinians. He mockingly suggested, “Instead of Palestinians, try to expel Israelis, take them to Greenland so they can kill two birds with one stone.”