TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested on Saturday night that the Europeans can hold talks with the Islamic Republic on the Ukraine war to resolve their concerns.

Speaking to national TV on Sunday night, Araghchi dismissed the European countries’ claims regarding Iran’s alleged export of advanced weapons to Russia, suggesting that dignified negotiations, not unilateral actions, were the path forward.

“If Europe is truly concerned, the way forward is through respectful discussions, not one-sided demands,” he said, making it clear that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue.

“If Europe is truly concerned, the way forward is through respectful discussions, not one-sided demands.”

He particularly criticized Europe’s stance on economic sanctions, arguing that their reliance on such measures has been a failure. “We have an issue with Europe over sanctions. Using failed tools is not the way forward,” he said, noting that despite the extensive sanctions imposed on Iran in the past, Europe eventually had to sit down at the negotiating table. “It is clear that the embargo has not worked,” he added.

In a show of defiance, Araghchi expressed surprise that Europe continues to rely on sanctions as a tool of diplomacy. “It’s astonishing that Europe still believes in the failed policy of sanctions and continues to act based on this defeated experience,” he remarked.

Elsewhere in his talks, the foreign minister said the JCPOA, the official name for the 2015 nuclear deal, which was abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018 and the Europeans failed to abide by it “is still a proper framework to lead us to a new agreement.”

The new foreign minister went on to say that it is a “reality” that the United States is not ready for dialogue on crafting a new nuclear deal.

While Araghchi acknowledged that the United States is currently unwilling to engage in serious discussions, he noted that contacts with the previous US administration had occurred and could be reestablished with the current one if necessary.

“The fact is, the Americans are not ready for negotiations at this moment,” he said, citing the upcoming US presidential elections as a reason for their reluctance. “It is normal for no country to be open to serious talks during election periods,” he added.

Araghchi, however, made it clear that Iran would not remain idle. “If necessary, we will initiate contacts with the Europeans and will not wait for the United States,” he reiterated. The Iranian diplomat also pointed out that Europe should take into account Iran’s concerns in any future negotiations. “Just as they have concerns, we also have our own concerns.”

Just as they (Europeans) have concerns, we also have our own concerns.”

The negotiations to revive the JCPOA have remained stalled since August 2022. Talks had originally resumed in April 2021, three years after the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and re-imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran.

Tehran has criticized the lack of political will by the US and the European trio (Britain, France and Germany) to revive the JCPOA and, in response, has ramped up its nuclear activities. At the time of the US withdrawal, Iran had continued to adhere to the deal for a full year before gradually scaling back its commitments.

Araghchi outlined the conditions under which Iran would be willing to return to the negotiating table, stating that a “proper foundation” would need to be created first. “Once that foundation is set, we can enter negotiations based on the original formula of the JCPOA—confidence-building through nuclear transparency in exchange for sanctions relief,” he explained.

He emphasized that the framework of the JCPOA still holds value and could pave the way for a renewed agreement. “In my opinion, the JCPOA remains a viable framework that can lead to a new understanding,” he said.

However, Araghchi underscored that any future talks would need to be based on mutual respect and equal footing. “We must reach a point of mutual understanding with the Europeans and the other members of the JCPOA so that we can negotiate from a position of equality,” he asserted.

The foreign minister further emphasized that Iran would not compromise its dignity or broader national interests for the sake of sanctions relief. “We are ready for respectful discussions, but we won’t sacrifice our dignity or interests,” he said.

“We will not accept any agreement unless our interests are secured,” Araghchi stated. “It doesn’t matter who the other party is, we are ready to negotiate as long as the negotiations protect our interests.”

It doesn’t matter who the other party is, we are ready to negotiate as long as the negotiations protect our interests.”

Reflecting on the past, Araghchi concluded by stating that while Iran is willing to learn from previous experiences, it remains focused on the future. “Our look at the past is to learn, but we don’t dwell on it. We are moving forward,” he affirmed.

The standoff over the JCPOA has been ongoing since the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the deal in 2018, a move that has cast a long shadow over efforts to restore the landmark agreement.

Iran has consistently pointed out that it adhered to its commitments under the deal, only scaling back after the US and its European partners failed to uphold their side of the agreement.