New Delhi: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday alleged that the US and Israel intentionally sabotaged diplomatic efforts by hitting Tehran’s nuclear sites, stating both powers had “decided to blow up” negotiations.
The minister claimed Israel had “blown up negotiations” between Iran and US with its June 13 strikes, and Washington did the same to talks with European powers through its latest attacks.
Responding to fresh calls by Europe for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, Araghchi asked, “How can Iran return to something it never left?”
In a post on X, the minister asked: “Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy. What conclusion would you draw?”
He added: “To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must “return” to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?”
The foreign minister also said that Iran’s response would depend on the scale of aggression by the US, and warned that Washington’s actions had pushed the region towards instability. “We will respond in accordance with our rights and national security priorities,” Araghchi said.
Early Sunday, the US attacked three nuclear sites in Iran, entering directly into Israel’s war on Tehran’s nuclear programme. The attack has triggered fears of a wider regional conflict.
In an address to the nation, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran’s key nuclear facilities were “completely and fully obliterated”. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation asserted that the attacks targeted its Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz sites, but insisted that it would carry on its nuclear programme.
