Araghchi: No negotiations with the U.S. without guarantees and compensation

In an interview with the Financial Times, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi addressed the U.S.'s expressed willingness to resume talks, saying: "We need real, tangible confidence-building actions from them."

He stressed that Iran demands compensation for the damages it suffered during last month’s war, stating: "The U.S. must compensate for the harm caused to Iran during the recent 12-day war. The Americans need to explain why they attacked us in the middle of negotiations and must guarantee that such actions will not be repeated in the future."

The head of Iran’s diplomatic apparatus reiterated: "The U.S. must make up for the damage it has caused to Iran."

Commenting on the Iran-U.S. talks, Araghchi said: "Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, and I exchanged messages during and after the war. I told him that to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis, a 'win-win' solution is necessary. The path of negotiation is narrow, but not impossible."

He added: "Witkoff has tried to convince me that this is achievable and has proposed resuming negotiations. But we need real confidence-building steps from them, including financial compensation and guarantees that Iran will not be attacked during renewed talks."

Araghchi stated: "My message is not complicated; the recent attack proved there is no military solution to Iran’s nuclear program—but a negotiated one can still be found."

The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to its peaceful nuclear program, saying: "Iran will not change its doctrine and respects the two-decade-old fatwa by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, which prohibits the development of nuclear weapons."

In another part of the interview, Araghchi emphasized: "The war has only deepened Iran’s mistrust in U.S. President Donald Trump. In his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran had signed with the Obama administration and other world powers."

According to Araghchi, Tehran still retains uranium enrichment capabilities. He said: "Buildings can be rebuilt. Machines can be replaced because the technology exists. We have many scientists and technicians who have previously worked at our facilities. But when and how we resume enrichment depends on the circumstances."

The Foreign Minister also stressed: "As long as Trump insists on zero enrichment, no agreement will be possible. However, Washington can present its concerns through negotiations. We can talk—they can make their arguments, and we will make ours. But with zero enrichment, we have nothing."