Araghchi says Pakistan-mediated US talks facing difficulties, not failed

NEW DELHI: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with the United States mediated by Pakistan have not failed, but are facing difficulties, adding that Iran does not trust Washington amid “contradictory messages.”

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Araghchi said Iran did not start a war but acted in self-defence, adding that Tehran is trying to maintain a ceasefire.

He said Iran was not responsible for disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the waterway is only closed to countries involved in hostilities with Tehran.

Araghchi said several Indian vessels had been guided for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and that Iranian naval forces were providing assistance amid what he described as a “very complex situation” in the area. He added that ships must coordinate with the Iranian navy to transit the strait.

He said Iran was interested in negotiations only if the other side was serious, adding that trust in the United States was lacking due to contradictory signals.

“We do not trust the United States at all,” he said, expressing hope that diplomacy and wisdom would ultimately succeed.

Araghchi reiterated that Iran had no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear programme remained peaceful and would continue to be so.

On relations with Russia, he said Tehran maintained a “very good strategic partnership” with Moscow and had held constructive talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a day earlier.

He said Russia had proposed transferring uranium enrichment, but Iran was not currently considering the proposal, adding that talks with the United States on the issue were deadlocked.

Araghchi also said Israel and the United States had failed to protect the United Arab Emirates in the past, claiming Iranian forces had only targeted US bases in the Gulf state.

On Pakistan’s mediation efforts, he said the talks had not failed but were going through a difficult phase due to US behaviour and mutual distrust.

Iran always welcomes diplomacy, he added, but said contradictory messages had raised doubts about Washington’s intentions.