Iranian Foreign Minister Doubts US Diplomatic Intentions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has openly questioned the United States' commitment to diplomacy, suggesting that Washington might be using negotiations as a façade while preparing for a potential military strike on Iran. His remarks come amid escalating tensions following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Accusations of Betrayal and Distrust
Addressing the possibility of resolving the ongoing Iran-Israel crisis within the two-week deadline set by US President Donald Trump, Araghchi expressed skepticism. He suggested that the US may harbor alternative motives and said, "It is up to the Americans to demonstrate their dedication to a negotiated solution, otherwise, they may simply want to attack Iran regardless."
He went further to accuse Washington of betraying diplomacy, citing Israel’s surprise strikes on June 13 as evidence. These attacks occurred just days before a scheduled sixth round of US-Iranian negotiations, severely undermining trust.
Conditions for Continued Negotiations
Despite his doubts, Araghchi emphasized Iran’s willingness to keep diplomatic channels open. However, he made it clear that future negotiations depend on Israel halting its aerial assaults on Iranian targets first.
Context: Israeli Strikes and US Response
On June 13, Israeli forces launched pre-emptive strikes against locations linked to Iran’s nuclear program. While US officials initially denied direct involvement, reports indicate President Trump was aware of the operation and even opposed an extreme Israeli plan to eliminate Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
The situation remains delicate, with the Iranian government demanding a tangible show of good faith from both Washington and its allies before proceeding further with talks.
