Tehran says US has not sought zero enrichment, warns war hawks pushing for ‘catastrophic war’

Iran’s Foreign Minister has said Washington has not demanded zero uranium enrichment in ongoing indirect talks, while warning that hardliners are attempting to steer US policy toward a “catastrophic war.”

"We have not proposed any suspension and the US also has not asked us for zero enrichment." Abbas Araghchi told the Morning Joe show on US TV network MSNBC on Friday, referring to the latest round of indirect talks, which were held in Geneva on Tuesday.

Araghchi also said that the talks focus on making sure that Iran's nuclear program, which includes enrichment, will remain peaceful.

He described the latest round as “very good,” adding that the sides agreed on a number of guiding principles for the negotiations.

He added that Tehran will prepare a draft of a possible agreement in the next "two or three days" and will be handed over to Steve Witkoff, head of the US negotiating team, after approval by senior authorities

"There may be a need for another meeting to discuss it, after which we can begin working on the text of that draft,” he added.

The top diplomat also pointed to the growing US military threats against Iran in the past few weeks despite ongoing negotiations.

“I hope that those who seek war and want to drag the United States once again into an unnecessary and catastrophic ​​​​​​war will not succeed, and will allow us diplomats to work together and find a diplomatic solution that I believe is within reach and can be achieved in a short time,” Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Morning Joe program on MC Now.

His remarks come as a report, citing statements from US officials, said the Israeli regime has been pressing US President Donald Trump to authorize a strike on Iran.

Trump on Thursday renewed his threats of military action against Tehran, just days after the Geneva talks, which were largely described in positive terms.

Iran won’t initiate war, but will ‘decisively’ defend itself against aggression: UN envoy

The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations stresses that the Islamic Republic will not initiate any war but will deliver a “decisive” response to an act of aggression against the country.

Araghchi stressed that no military action can solve the nuclear issue with Iran, noting that it was tried during the US-Israeli aggression in June and proved to be a failure.

“There is no military solution to Iran’s nuclear program. This has been tried before. There have been widespread attacks on our facilities, our scientists have been assassinated, but they have not been able to destroy our nuclear program. Why? Because this program was developed by us and our scientists. This technology belongs to us and cannot be destroyed by bombing or military action,” he stated.

He emphasized that “The only solution is diplomacy. That is why America is back at the negotiating table and seeking an agreement.”

Iran’s top diplomat also stressed that “We are ready for peace, we are ready for diplomacy, just as we are ready to defend ourselves.”

“If someone is looking for a solution to Iran's nuclear program and wants to ensure that it remains peaceful, the only path is [through] negotiation and a diplomatic solution,” he reiterated.

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