Financial Times: Iran Indicates Openness to Diplomacy if "Aggressor" is Held Accountable
Iran’s FM Araghchi told the Financial Times Tehran is open to diplomacy if attacks stop and aggressors are held accountable. At Geneva talks, he reaffirmed Iran’s non-negotiable defense stance but signaled willingness to resume nuclear and broader discussions.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - According to reporting by the Financial Times, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran is willing to consider diplomatic engagement if the ongoing aggression against Iran ceases and the perpetrators are held accountable. The comments followed a high-level meeting in Geneva on Friday involving European powers and Iran.
"Once the aggression is stopped and the aggressor is held accountable for the crimes it committed, diplomacy is possible," Araghchi said. He reaffirmed Iran's stance on its defense posture, stating unequivocally: "Iran's defense capabilities are not negotiable."
Financial Times reports that Araghchi also expressed Iran's support for continued diplomatic discussions with the E3 (Germany, France, and the UK) and the European Union. He emphasized Tehran's readiness to reconvene for further negotiations in the near future.
The Financial Times also highlighted that Iran’s foreign ministry appears open to resuming broader nuclear talks, potentially including dialogue with the United States. This sentiment was echoed by European officials who participated in the Geneva talks.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told the Financial Times that there was a shared feeling among participants that "the Iranian side is fundamentally ready to continue to talk about all the important issues."
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking to the Financial Times, confirmed that Araghchi had indicated willingness to resume discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. Barrot also noted Tehran’s openness to talks on other critical matters, such as Iran's military ties with Moscow in the context of the war in Ukraine and the status of French nationals currently detained in Iran.
"We expect from Iran an openness to the discussion, including with the US, to get to a resolution of the crisis via dialogue," Barrot stated, according to the Financial Times.
The Geneva meeting marked a cautious but potentially meaningful shift in Iran's diplomatic posture amid rising tensions in the region.