Tehran postures for legitimacy as Israel and allies confront a regime abusing diplomacy to advance threats.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi signaled conditional willingness to continue indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States, making clear that talks will proceed only if Tehran judges Washington to show what it calls “seriousness” on Iran’s terms.
Speaking in Tehran following indirect discussions held in Muscat, Araghchi claimed the United States is sending mixed signals—publicly signaling diplomacy while maintaining sanctions and military readiness in the region. He framed these measures as evidence of American unreliability, despite Iran’s long record of nuclear deception and escalation.
Araghchi insisted that obstacles to progress stem from what he labeled “excessive and unrealistic” US demands, while reaffirming Iran’s refusal to abandon uranium enrichment—despite the obvious military implications. He emphasized that Tehran views enrichment as a sovereign right, not a negotiable privilege, underscoring the regime’s unwillingness to meaningfully roll back its nuclear capabilities.
He also categorically ruled out any discussion of Iran’s missile program, declaring it a “defense issue” beyond the scope of negotiations. This position reinforces concerns that Iran seeks a narrow deal that preserves its regional threat architecture while extracting sanctions relief.
Araghchi warned that any military action against Iran would provoke a response, repeating regime talking points designed to deter accountability while advancing nuclear leverage. Meanwhile, US officials reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a core policy objective, with all options remaining on the table.
For Israel, Iran’s messaging confirms a familiar pattern: diplomacy as cover, enrichment as strategy, and delay as doctrine—forcing democracies to choose between confrontation and complacency.
