After days of rising regional tension, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a blunt and emotionally charged message: Iran is still open to diplomacy, but no longer trusts the United States.
Addressing the media, soon after the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting, he said that Tehran is ready to ensure safe passage through the crucial oil corridor, even as mistrust with the United States remains “the main obstacle” to diplomacy.
On Friday, He said Iran shared US President Donald Trump’s stated position that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open and that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons.
Tehran says it entered negotiations in good faith, only to face military escalation shortly afterward. Again and again, the minister returned to one central argument: Iran believes Washington speaks the language of negotiation publicly while acting differently behind closed doors.
“We have every reason not to trust the Americans,” Araghchi said.
The statement set the tone for a long exchange that mixed anger, caution, and strategic signalling toward the United States, Israel, India, China, Russia, and the Gulf states.
The minister repeatedly framed Iran as a country hardened by decades of sanctions and isolation. More than 40 years of economic pressure had failed to break Iran’s political will or force surrender on strategic issues.
“Anytime they used pressure, we resisted. Anytime they used respect and diplomacy, we responded positively.”
The message was aimed as much at Western capitals as at domestic and regional audiences: Iran wants to appear resilient, patient, and unwilling to negotiate from weakness.
He talked about the 2015 nuclear agreement, describing it as a diplomatic achievement reached after more than two years of negotiations between Iran and world powers. According to him, Iran fully complied with the deal — only for the United States to withdraw during Donald Trump’s first administration.
That experience, he said, fundamentally changed Iran’s approach.
Now, every future negotiation would require guarantees, precision, and verification.
“Everything should be exact. Everything should be clearly defined.”
He also revealed that recent negotiations earlier this year had shown signs of progress before tensions escalated again. And, claimed both sides had narrowed major disagreements and were close to advancing discussions before military actions disrupted the process.
The minister warned that Tehran is prepared for another confrontation if necessary. He referenced what he called “40 days of war” and insisted Iran had already demonstrated its ability to withstand military pressure.
“If they want to go back to war, it is up to them. They have tested us already.”
Still, he maintained cautious optimism that negotiations could eventually resume, but only if the other side showed seriousness and patience.
Responding to questions, what role can India play, he praised India’s historical ties with Iran and stressed that unilateral sanctions imposed by the US, not political hostility, had slowed cooperation between the two countries.
On the question about the Chabahar Port, he called it a “golden gate” connecting India to Central Asia and beyond, and expressed hope that development of the port would accelerate once sanctions ease.
He also suggested that India could play a constructive diplomatic role in reducing tensions across West Asia. “India can play a greater role in promoting peace and stability in the region.”
The visiting minister’s remarks appeared to reassure New Delhi that Tehran still sees India as a long-term strategic partner despite growing US-India ties.
The minister also welcomed possible mediation efforts by China, describing Beijing as a trusted and constructive partner. He praised China’s earlier role in helping restore regional dialogue and signalled openness to further diplomatic involvement if it could help stabilize the situation.
Russia, meanwhile, was described as a strategic partner deeply involved in consultations over regional and nuclear issues.
However, the minister acknowledged that some of the most difficult technical questions, including the future handling of enriched uranium, had not yet been fully resolved.
Araghchi addressed questions related to the Gulf countries hosting US military bases. And argued those installations had become “sources of insecurity” rather than protection, warning neighbouring states not to rely too heavily on outside powers for regional stability.
At the same time, he signalled that Iran still wants workable relations with its Arab neighbours and believes regional cooperation is possible if external military tensions decline.
