Araghchi questions US motives after “unconditional surrender” demand

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has cast doubt on US calls for negotiations, arguing that Washington’s shift in tone reflects a retreat from its earlier demands and amounts to an acknowledgement of failure.

In a televised interview aired Wednesday, March 25, on the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) network, Araghchi questioned why the United States is now raising the prospect of talks after previously insisting on sweeping concessions, as per CNN.

“Didn’t the Americans say ‘unconditional surrender’?” Araghchi said. “So why are they talking about negotiation now?”

He went on to frame the change in rhetoric as a sign of weakness. “The fact that they are talking about negotiation now is exactly an admission of defeat,” Araghchi added.

According to the Iranian foreign minister, Washington has sent several messages to Tehran in recent days through what he described as “friendly countries.” However, he emphasised that these exchanges should not be interpreted as formal negotiations.

“The fact that messages are being sent and we respond with warnings or state our positions is not called negotiation or dialogue; it is an exchange of messages,” he stressed.

Araghchi noted that proposals have been included in those communications and passed along to Iran’s leadership. “In these messages, ideas were raised that have been conveyed to top authorities, and if a position needs to be taken, they will announce it,” he said.

The White House, meanwhile, has maintained that talks with Iran are moving forward, even though Tehran has not immediately accepted a 15-point plan aimed at ending the war.

Earlier, Araghchi also referred to an NBC News report claiming that President Donald Trump has been shown selected video footage emphasising the success of US military strikes. He criticised what he described as the daily “selling” of the war to the American public and even to the president himself.

By Tamilla Hasanova