Araguchi spoke on the sidelines at a meeting held by the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Sunday.
“We declare our stance and defend diplomacy and negotiations, but indirectly. Of course, we should be acknowledged that there hasn’t been a round of negotiations so far,” Araguchi told the meeting bystanders, briefing the Congressional Committee on the latest status of the issue with Washington.
In 2018, US President Donald Trump launched a so-called “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran in his first term in office after withdrawing from Iran’s nuclear deal, best known as the JCPOA, three years ago. After returning to the White House on January 20th this year, Trump expressed his willingness to meet with Iran in person, signing a new deal with the nuclear program while recovering his campaign. He also threatened Iran with military action if he did not reach a new deal.
In the threat of Trump’s response, Iran strongly rejected the issue saying that in person talks would not take place under pressure, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton said a few days ago that Trump liked deals with Iran that Libya cut with the United States in 2003.
“He’s going to dream,” Araguchi said in response to the Senator’s remarks.
The diplomat also commented on the French President Emmanuel Macron meeting held with key ministers and experts on Wednesday, discussing Iran, including the nuclear program. Following the Macron-chaired meeting, the French Foreign Minister warned of potential military conflicts if new contracts cannot be reached in Iran’s nuclear program.
They presented their own assessment, but if France takes any action in line with potential military actions against Iran, “we believe they will be complicit in any action against our country,” Aragucci said.
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