Iranian FM Araghchi says Israel ‘requires weak neighbours’
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Israel is an “expansionist project that requires that neighboring countries be weakened militarily, technologically, economically, and socially.”
Araghchi said that this means that “the Israeli regime permanently enjoys the upper hand.”
“Under this project, Israel is free to expand its military arsenal without limits, including weapons of mass destruction that remain outside any inspection regime. Yet, other countries are demanded to disarm,” Araghchi said during a speech at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha.
He cited the sanctions and punishments against Iran for its missile and nuclear projects as proof that Israel is being treated differently, saying that these were not policies based on security and non-proliferation, but on the objective of maintaining Israel’s military superiority.
“It is the enforcement of permanent inequality. Israel must have military intelligence and a strategic edge. And others must remain vulnerable,” he concluded.
Talks with US ‘a good start’
Araghchi also mentioned negotiations with the United States in Oman, calling them a “good start” and clarifying that they would focus only on the nuclear issue.
“There is still a long way to go to build trust,” he said, and added, “We are ready to reach an agreement on the issue of enrichment, but the level of enrichment depends on our needs, and from our point of view, zero enrichment is not possible.”
He also said that the talks will not negotiate the missiles in Iran posesion – neither now nor in the future – because it is a “defense” matter.
Finally, he claimed that the attacks during last year’s 12-day war failed to destroy Iranian capabilities on the nuclear issue.
Iran, US hold nuclear talks
Araghchi was present in Muscat, Oman, in the early hours of Friday morning for the US-Iran talks, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.
United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Muscat on Thursday evening, according to Israeli state broadcaster KAN News.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi held separate meetings with officials from the US and Iran, marking a departure from previous Iran‑US talks, which have used a shuttle-diplomacy approach.
“Very serious talks mediating between Iran and the US in Muscat today,” said Busaidi after confirming the ending of the talks, and added, “It was useful to clarify both Iranian and American thinking and identify areas for possible progress. We aim to reconvene in due course, with the results to be considered carefully in Tehran and Washington.”
“The consultations focused on preparing the appropriate conditions for resuming diplomatic and technical negotiations, while emphasising their importance, in light of the parties’ determination to ensure their success in achieving sustainable security and stability,” Oman’s Foreign Ministry stated.
Goldie Katz and James Genn contributed to this report.
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