Name: Exclusive: Iran's foreign minister speaks to CNN about negotiations with US amid ongoing tensions
Uploaded: 2026-02-02T16:59:25.000Z
Duration: 17 min 16 s
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Doctor Archie, thank you very much for the opportunity for this interview.

Adverbs of degree

We're obviously in very delicate times right now between the United States and Iran as we sit here.

How big is the threat of a war between the two countries?

I think war is not inevitable and it can be avoided.

We are prepared even more than before the 12 Day War.

And I believe that the best way to prevent a war is to be prepared for that.

So when I say that we are prepared for the war, it doesn't mean that we want war, but

What I'm concerned of is miscalculations and military operation based on misinformation and disinformation campaigns.

It is obvious to us that there are certain elements, certain parties who want to drag President Trump into this war for their own benefits.

And I think President Trump is wise enough to make a correct decision.

One of the ways to prevent miscalculations is for direct talks.

The United States has said that it wants direct talks with Iran.

How can a meaningful negotiations process be jump started right now?

A meaningful negotiation should be based on trust.

And unfortunately, we have lost our trust to the United States as a negotiating partner.

Everybody celebrated that when we concluded the deal, JCPOA and the US withdrew with no justification.

Let's talk about last year, only 10 months ago when in June we decided to negotiate with the United States.

And we were negotiating when they decided to attack us.

So we don't have any good experience, any positive experience of talking with Americans.

And in order to have a meaningful negotiation, we need to overcome this mistrust.

There are now some intermediators, some friendly countries in the region who are trying to build this confidence.

So I see the possibility of another talk if the US Negotiation team follows what President Trump said to come to a fair and equitable deal to ensure that there is no nuclear weapons.

This is what he said in one of his latest posts.

So if that is the case, I'm confident that we can achieve a deal.

So if this conference built, if you get to that stage, you are ready and willing to sit down directly with the American side, with someone like Witkoff, and

The question of directly and indirectly is something else that is the form of negotiation.

But we have to take care of the substance of negotiation and that is more important.

And I don't think we can come to a point that the full confidence is restored, but

And we are now working with our friends in the region to find a method that can bring about this, some extent of confidence so we can restart negotiations.

Yeah, and President Trump says that negotiations are already going on.

He has said overnight that there is negotiations taking place.

How does that work right now with this confidence building with, with countries in the region also?

As I said, there are some countries who convey messages and who are trying to build confidence and to, to prepare the ground for a meaningful negotiation.

And we are working with them and we are exchanging message.

Would you say that these talks that are going on right now are fruitful and can lead to a de escalation of the situation to a point where real talks can take place?

President Trump says he is looking to not use the military force that is currently stationed around Iran, not just on aircraft carriers but elsewhere if there can be an acceptable deal.

What would be an acceptable deal for Iran as far as nuclear is concerned?

As far as, as I said, the same deal that he mentioned, a fair and equitable deal to ensure no nuclear weapons that is achievable.

Things like enrichment, things like ballistic missiles, things like proxy forces in the region.

I know that the United States has talked about wanting to negotiate about that as well.

Is that completely out of the question for you or is that something you could at least talk about?

And we can negotiate on our nuclear program to ensure that there is no nuclear weapons, to ensure that it is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever.

Of course, in return, we expect sanction lifting so that deal is possible.

Let's do not talk about impossible things.

Let's focus on something which is possible and do not lose the opportunity to achieve a fair and equitable deal to ensure no nuclear weapons.

That, as I said, and I repeat, that is achievable even in short period of time.

So you think there could be a, in a short period of time, negotiations could start, a venue could be designated.

You could sit down directly or indirectly with them and come to an agreement fairly quickly that would give you, presumably you would want sanctions relief in return for all of this.

What's Iran looking to get out of it otherwise?

That is the purpose of negotiation for us.

First, of course, we want our rights to be, you know, respected.

Sanctions are imposed because there are concerns that our program may go for, for weapons.

As far as we are concerned, this is not the case.

But we are ready to build confidence on our nuclear program and of course, in return we expect sanction lifting.

And as I said, if enrichment, our right for enrichment is respected and recognized and we can continue our enrichment for peaceful purposes, then every details of that is negotiable and we can sit together in any form and come to a conclusion.

Iran is obviously a very powerful country, country in this region and also all the way into Europe and other places.

The United States obviously has a lot of power here as well.

Wouldn't it be important for these two powerful players in the region to speak about regional issues?

To speak about regional military issues as well?

Well, to be honest with you, we believe that the source of all these conflicts, tensions, everything in our region is foreign forces who have entered into this region.

We respect our neighbors and we are, we have always been ready to engage with our neighbors in the region and talk about the security, the peace and stability and everything regarding the region.

But with the countries of the region, this is our business.

This is the business of the region and we have to deal with that together with our regional players.

So this is our position and we have already been in touch with our neighbors and other players, major players in particular, and

we have good discussion and we are ready to even form some sort of a structure to talk with each other about the peace and stability.

Look, peace and stability in this region is as important and vital for us as it is important for others.

We are a country next to the Persian Gulf and that body of water is important for us to export our oil.

Straightforward is very, very important also for us and for the whole world.

And we have always kept it safe and have guaranteed safe passage thanks to the IRGC who is protecting the safe passage and the freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman and the state of Hormuz.

And I hope that nothing would happen which interrupt that.

What do you think the consequences would be if there was a full on military confrontation between Iran and the United States?

Because I know your military has changed its doctrine that if there is a major attack, it would be considered existential for the Islamic Republic.