Iran has declared that its missile programme was not up for discussion even as it said that it was prepared to engage in talks about its nuclear ambitions.
It emphasised that while it is possible to reach a fair agreement, it however said that Washington has set impossible and unacceptable preconditions.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that while Iran is ready for talks towards addressing concerns about the country’s nuclear program, he however, emphasized the peaceful nature of the nuclear program.
In the words of Araghchi; “There will be no negotiations on our missile program. It would be foolish if one hands over his weapons”.
He further said Iran is prepared for any scenario in the wake of its 12-day war with Israel in June, adding that Tehran expects hostile behaviour from the Zionist regime.
According to Araghchi; “We are at the apex of preparedness at all levels. Israel will suffer another defeat in any future war.
We have gained a lot of experience from the recent war and tested our missiles in a real battle.
“If the Zionist regime launches an attack, it will come with dire consequences for it,” he said.
The 10-year nuclear deal between Iran and world powers expired on Oct. 18, with Tehran announcing it is no longer bound by the 2015 agreement.
Under the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), financial sanctions on Iran were lifted in return for promised limitations on its nuclear program.
Since the war’s conclusion, which also saw the involvement of the U.S. in bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on June 21, Tehran has refused to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nation’s nuclear watchdog.
This prompted the United Nations, led by Britain, France, and Germany, to on Sept. 27 reimpose international sanctions on Iran under the “snapback” mechanism built into the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal. The mechanism restored restrictions on arms transfers, missile technology, and sensitive financial dealings.
Araghchi however said; “The activation of the snapback mechanism by the Europeans is illegal, and there is no international consensus on sanctions against us.
“Our priority is to strengthen relations with neighbouring countries, and we are ready to engage with the West without any dictates,” he said.
The Iranian minister spoke on the country’s stock of enriched uranium, whose fate was the object of much speculation in the wake of the war.
Araghchi said; “Nuclear materials remain buried under the rubble of bombed nuclear facilities and have not been moved elsewhere. Our nuclear buildings and equipment are damaged, but our technology remains intact”.
