Iran says US deal hinges on respect, sanctions relief and end to threats
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that any agreement with the United States would depend on mutual respect, sanctions relief and an end to military threats, as Tehran and Washington move closer to a potential deal.
Speaking about the proposed memorandum of understanding being negotiated between the two sides, Araghchi said the agreement would include provisions for the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and commitments against the use of force.
“Iran's blocked assets will also be released according to the memorandum of understanding that will be signed,” he said.
Araghchi also indicated that the framework would address broader regional issues, including the conflict in Lebanon, as part of efforts to reduce tensions across the Middle East.
The foreign minister warned that opponents of the negotiations were attempting to derail the process, singling out Israel as the main adversary of the proposed agreement.
“I must explicitly state that this agreement has enemies, at the forefront of which is the Zionist regime, and they are looking for pretexts to disrupt this agreement,” he said.
He stressed that pressure and threats would not change Iran's position and could instead undermine diplomatic progress.
“In these circumstances, threats are not only ineffective but also set back a potential agreement; threats must stop, and we must speak with the language of respect in order for us to reach an agreement,” Araghchi said.
His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a deal with Iran could be signed “this weekend” and suggested a formal signing ceremony could take place in Europe.
Trump also said he had cancelled a planned military strike on Iran following recent exchanges of attacks between the two countries, including incidents linked to a U.S. Apache helicopter crash that Washington blamed on an Iranian drone.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
