Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that recent U.S. military actions, which he claimed were coordinated with Israel, were a direct consequence of Washington's failure to force Tehran into completely halting its uranium enrichment program.

In an extensive interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Wednesday, Araghchi provided a detailed account of recent indirect negotiations mediated by Oman. He revealed that American negotiators entered the talks with a single, unwavering precondition: the total cessation of enrichment, a demand Iran "completely resisted."

"Their demand became 'zero enrichment,' which we completely resisted," Araghchi stated, explaining that U.S. officials were persuaded by certain actors that any enrichment activity inherently retains the potential for nuclear weapons development.

Reaffirming Iran's long-standing position, the Foreign Minister cited a religious decree (fatwa) by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stressing that Iran's policy is "clear: we do not seek nuclear weapons." However, he insisted on Iran's right to enrichment for peaceful purposes and to preserve its scientific achievements.

Araghchi disclosed that during the negotiations, several "operational plans" were seriously considered to create a balance between enrichment and non-proliferation concerns. However, these proposals collapsed once U.S. officials returned to Washington and were persuaded to revert to the inflexible "zero enrichment" stance.

Despite this breakdown, Araghchi emphasized Iran's continued commitment to diplomacy, rejecting claims that he had become "too conservative." He outlined a pragmatic view of statecraft, dismissing the notion that war is inherently sacred while diplomacy is evil.

"It’s a false and unrealistic belief that war is always holy and negotiation is always dirty. Both war and diplomacy are tools... Diplomacy is often cheaper and less risky," he explained, asserting that national interest alone guides Tehran's actions.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the effectiveness of diplomacy in averting previous crises, noting that before the recent 12-day war, the region had come close to conflict on at least three other occasions where diplomacy "played a crucial role." He warned of the devastation of war and accused Israel of a plot to "divide and weaken the region," crediting Iran's "ability to respond forcefully" as the ultimate deterrent.

Addressing nuclear oversight, Araghchi confirmed that discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are ongoing following a visit by Deputy Director General Massimo Aparo to Tehran. He stated that Iran "cannot completely sever cooperation" but warned that the return of inspectors and the nature of future collaboration would be governed by Iranian parliamentary law and subject to approval by the Supreme National Security Council.

He criticized the IAEA for not condemning what he described as Israeli-U.S. aggression against Iran's nuclear facilities, clarifying that while cooperation will not be cut off, it "will certainly not resemble the past."

Regarding European powers—France, Germany, and the UK, known as the E3—Araghchi said Tehran is evaluating whether a genuine dialogue is possible, vowing, "We will not enter negotiations for the sake of negotiations." He outright rejected the European reliance on the snapback mechanism, arguing they have forfeited their right to invoke it by adopting positions equivalent to a withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.

Concluding on the role of the UN Security Council, Araghchi stated that Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, and the council itself "no longer carry the same weight," as they failed to prevent war or stop illegal sanctions.