On October 25, 2025, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi delivered a message that echoed across international headlines: Iran, he insisted, stands firm on its principles of independence and dignity, but remains open to a diplomatic resolution with the United States—if only both sides can meet on equal footing. In a series of interviews and public statements, Araghchi outlined the contours of Iran’s position on its nuclear program, relations with the US, and the broader regional context, painting a picture of a nation determined to resist pressure while keeping the door ajar for dialogue.
According to reports by BORNA and the West Asia News Agency (WANA), Araghchi asserted that the core conflict between Iran and the US is not simply a matter of nuclear technology or sanctions, but rather, “the US’s hegemonic nature.” He explained, “As long as the US has a dominating characteristic, and as long as the Islamic Republic has the characteristic of not submitting to dominance, this problem between us and the US will not be resolved. But I believe we can manage it.”
Araghchi’s remarks came at a particularly fraught moment, following a turbulent summer marked by a sudden escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States. In June, Israel launched what Tehran described as an unprovoked attack, assassinating high-ranking Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The US soon entered the fray, bombing three Iranian nuclear sites—a move Iran denounced as a “grave violation” of the United Nations Charter and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In response, Iranian forces struck back, targeting strategic sites in the occupied territories and the American al-Udeid air base in Qatar. Within twelve days, Iran’s retaliatory operations managed to bring the illegal assault to a halt, with Araghchi calling the period “a turning point in history.”
“If this resistance had not taken place, it could have become a pattern—that whenever someone wants something from Iran, they attack or threaten,” Araghchi told WANA. “Iranians proved they do not retreat from their rights and are not afraid to stand firm.” He described the unity among Iranians inside and outside the country during the conflict as “a historic turning point,” urging that this social capital be preserved. “Even with all our internal differences, when Iran, our land and our identity are at stake, we stand together as one.”
Yet, for all the rhetoric of resistance, Araghchi’s tone was not one of belligerence. Instead, he repeatedly emphasized Iran’s commitment to diplomacy and peaceful engagement. “Iran has repeatedly announced that it has never abandoned and will never reject diplomacy,” he said in an online interview published Saturday. “We are ready for diplomatic engagement with the US if the Americans are willing to negotiate seriously and genuinely for a mutually beneficial agreement, not a one-sided one, and based on mutual respect and from an equal footing.”
Central to Iran’s position is the claim—reiterated by Araghchi in every forum—that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and within its legal rights. “Our nuclear bomb is the power to say no to others,” he explained, using a phrase that has become a refrain in Iranian officialdom. “We pursued enrichment because it’s our right, not because we seek weapons. Our strength lies in the ability to say no to pressure.” He stressed that Iran’s security doctrine, rooted in a religious decree (fatwa) by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, explicitly excludes nuclear weapons. “We have a religious decree—a fatwa—against nuclear weapons. Our nuclear bomb is the power to say no to others.”
Araghchi also pointed to Iran’s record of transparency and willingness to negotiate. “I am ready to sit and negotiate, I will build confidence, I will show the program is peaceful, I will reach an agreement, and I will act according to the agreement. We did this. We did not leave the JCPOA; the US did. We remained committed to our obligations until the last moment.” The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was abandoned by the US in 2018, a move that Araghchi and other Iranian officials cite as a key reason for their deep distrust of Washington. “There is no basis for trusting the United States,” he said bluntly, adding, “but even without trust, we can interact cautiously.”
Despite the hard lessons of the past, Araghchi maintains that engagement is possible—if the US is prepared to abandon its “hegemonic behavior” and approach Iran with respect. “The Iranian nation does not respond to the language of force, pressure, and sanctions; but if you speak to the Iranian nation with the language of respect and act with dignity, they will respond in kind.” He criticized US preconditions for talks as “a dictate,” saying, “This method is a dictate and we will never accept it. This is the characteristic of the Iranian nation which has always stood for their independence and dignity.”
Throughout his statements, Araghchi was clear on two non-negotiable principles: “We will not compromise on the rights of the Iranian people and will not tolerate dominance and bullying over the Iranian people; but we are ready for any wise solution.” He reiterated that Iran’s preparedness—both military and societal—is the main factor preventing war, not an indication that Tehran expects or seeks conflict. “Preparedness is the most important factor in preventing war. I am confident that this experience will not be repeated, and if they make a mistake, they will face a similar response.”
In the background of these diplomatic maneuvers, the region remains volatile. According to reports, Israeli military actions continue in Gaza and southern Lebanon, despite ceasefire agreements. Nearly 100 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the most recent ceasefire, and over 68,500 people have lost their lives in Gaza since October 2023. Israeli airstrikes have also targeted southern Lebanon, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and ceasefire deals, further complicating the broader security picture.
Still, Araghchi’s message to the world is one of cautious hope. “We will never abandon the rights of the Iranian people or tolerate domination, but we are ready for any rational and fair solution.” As the dust settles from the summer’s violence, the question remains: can the US and Iran find a path to mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, or will history repeat itself? If Araghchi’s words carry weight, the answer depends on whether both sides can finally speak the language of dignity and equality, rather than force and suspicion.
