Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that Iran is ready to negotiate with the United States but is also fully prepared to respond to renewed military attacks. In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Araghchi outlined a seven-day proposal under which Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint that was effectively closed by Iran following US-Israeli attacks in February.
Araghchi mentioned that Iran had heard President Donald Trump reject the proposal but was still waiting for an official response through mediators. He emphasized that Tehran would reopen the strait if Washington first took steps Iran has sought, including ending the war, releasing frozen Iranian assets, removing the blockade, and allowing Iran to sell its oil. According to Araghchi, the US could take the required steps within four or five days.
Under the proposed sequence, Iran would reopen the strait on day six, and the two sides would resume negotiations on a final agreement on day seven. Araghchi expressed deep distrust of negotiations with the Trump administration, accusing Washington of attacking Iran during talks in both 2025 and 2026 and violating a subsequent agreement shortly after it was signed.
Despite this distrust, Araghchi stated that there is always hope for diplomacy and that Iran shouldn't miss any chance for peace. When asked whether he trusted Trump, Araghchi replied that Iran trusts itself. He disputed that Iran had violated the June memorandum of understanding with the US first, saying that if Washington believed Tehran had done so, it could have invoked a dispute-settlement provision in their interim deal instead of bombing Iran.
Araghchi also addressed the prospect of further US strikes, stating that Iran had learned from earlier fighting and changed its military tactics. He emphasized that Iran is fully prepared for the time for war to be resumed and stands firm in the face of any new aggression. However, he also reiterated that Iran stands ready for diplomacy.
Regarding Iran's nuclear program, Araghchi maintained that enrichment was for peaceful purposes, including medical uses, and said Iran had offered to negotiate over its 60%-enriched material. He explained that the issue was not part of the initial seven-day proposal, as Iran decided to put everything nuclear for later stages and focus on confidence building in this stage.
Araghchi also addressed the absence of Iran's supreme leader from public appearances on video since taking power in March, citing security concerns and indications that he faced threats from the US. He rejected suggestions of competing centers of power in Iran, saying the Foreign Ministry coordinates with the government, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Supreme National Security Council, and parliament.
Key points
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran is ready for diplomacy with the US but also fully prepared for war if necessary.
- Araghchi outlined a seven-day proposal under which Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz if certain conditions are met.
- Iran's nuclear program and the absence of the supreme leader from public appearances were also addressed in the interview.
