Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, has stated that a war between Tehran and Washington is not inevitable and can be prevented, but emphasized that his country is fully prepared for any potential military confrontation.
In an interview with CNN on Sunday, February 1, Araghchi said the best way to prevent war is to be prepared for it, adding that such preparedness does not signal a desire for confrontation but serves as a means of deterrence.
Iran’s foreign minister emphasized that some parties are attempting to push U.S. President Donald Trump toward a war that would serve their own interests, but said the U.S. president has “sufficient wisdom to make the right decision.”
Addressing the diplomatic track, Araghchi stated that serious negotiations are not possible without a minimum level of trust, noting that Iran is working through regional intermediaries to rebuild the trust necessary to initiate meaningful talks with the United States.
He underscored that Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes is a “red line,” while other issues could be negotiable in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
However, Araghchi warned that any full-scale war between Iran and the United States would be catastrophic for the region, adding that reaching an understanding with Washington could help resolve misunderstandings and pave the way for economic cooperation among Iran, the United States, and countries in the region.
