Iran (IMNA) - “Negotiation means dialogue, not dictation, and we reject anything based on dictates,” he said in an interview with France 24 in Paris on Wednesday, adding that the absence of any ongoing negotiation track stems from a lack of genuine American intent.
“The reason is clear: There is no will in America for real, fair negotiations,” Araghchi stressed, recalling that Iran had already demonstrated its commitment to diplomacy in the years leading to the 2015 nuclear agreement—an accord later abandoned by former US President Donald Trump.
He also referred to the negotiation process that began earlier this year but was irreversibly halted by what he described as an imposed and illegal joint Israeli-American war on Iran.
Despite this, the foreign minister emphasized that Tehran rejects only coercive talks—not diplomacy itself. “The day the US government announces that it is ready to set aside imposed and excessive demands and pursue a serious, win-win dialogue based on mutual interests, Iran will never say ‘no.’ But we don’t see that readiness now. We’re not rushing. We’re waiting, and we will be patient until the US shows real intent instead of inflated demands.”
Addressing recent media claims about a letter from President Masoud Pezeshkian to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Araghchi dismissed allegations that it involved potential Riyadh-mediated talks between Iran and the United States. He nonetheless underlined that Iran “completely trusts” Saudi Arabia in nuclear matters and noted the steady improvement in bilateral relations. The real obstacle, he said, is not a shortage of mediators but Washington’s approach to negotiations.
Objection to IAEA Resolution
Araghchi also criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors’ latest resolution demanding immediate access to Iranian nuclear sites struck during the Israeli-American war. He said the resolution ignored “field realities,” including the unprecedented bombing of civilian nuclear facilities—an event for which the IAEA has no inspection protocol.
Access to the damaged sites, he warned, remains unsafe due to unexploded munitions, chemical and radioactive contamination, and the ongoing threat of renewed Israeli or US strikes. He urged board members to avoid further escalatory decisions until a new safety-based inspection framework is established.
‘Israel, US Underestimated Iran’s Strength’
Regarding the war, Araghchi said Israel and the United States miscalculated Iran’s capabilities, noting that Iranian missiles struck enemy targets “with rising power and accuracy” in retaliation. He added that Iran’s response eventually compelled both parties to request a ceasefire after initially demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Prisoner Exchange With France
The foreign minister also discussed the situation of French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were previously detained in Iran on espionage charges and are now at the French Embassy in Tehran awaiting exit permits as part of a swap involving Iranian academic Mahdieh Esfandiari, arrested in France in February over pro-Palestinian activism.
“This exchange has already been negotiated between Iran and France, and an agreement has been reached. Everything on our side is ready,” Araghchi said, adding that the timeline now depends on legal procedures in both countries, particularly Esfandiari’s mid-January court hearing.
“Depending on the duration of judicial procedures, the process may conclude within one or two months. But at the very latest, the prisoner swap will take place by mid-January, provided the French court finalizes its process.”
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