Iran's Foreign Minister Considers Diplomatic Solution Possible in Dispute with the US

Background to the Tensions

Relations between Iran and the US have been severely strained for years. Points of contention include Iran's nuclear program, its support for regional militias, and human rights issues. The US government has long imposed extensive sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions.

Araghchi also addressed US President Donald Trump directly. He called for an end to the policy of "maximalen Drucks", which had begun during Trump's first term. The current US government had recently expanded the sanctions and announced new measures.

Observers interpret the statements as an attempt by Tehran to keep the channels of negotiation from being severed. Even after the recent tensions in the region, Iran had shown interest in indirect talks, according to diplomatic circles.

Role of the Gulf States as Intermediaries

The conflict between the two countries has repeatedly also had an impact on security in the Near and Middle East. Several neighboring states have repeatedly offered to serve as intermediaries. Oman, for example, has previously enabled secret talks between the US and Iran.

Araghchi emphasized that Iran did not want war, but also no unilateral concessions. A solution had to be based on reciprocity. The US government must "ihre Politik der Drohungen und Sanktionen" reconsider, he said.

At the same time, Araghchi complained that the Iranian population was suffering particularly badly under the sanctions. The measures of the US government primarily affected ordinary people and hampered humanitarian aid. A normalization of relations was in the interest of both peoples, he said.

Impact on the Population

There was initially no direct reaction from Washington to the Iranian minister's remarks. Observers assume that contacts through intermediaries continue to exist behind the scenes. However, the situation remains tense, it was said.

Overall, analysts assess Araghchi's remarks as a diplomatic tightrope walk. On the one hand, he had signaled a willingness to talk, but on the other hand, he had reaffirmed Iran's position against US pressure. The coming weeks are expected to show whether concrete negotiations will take place.

Oman and Qatar, both close allies of the US and at the same time diplomatic partners of Tehran, have played a central role in such processes for years. Both Gulf states maintain close relations with Washington and simultaneously maintain diplomatic channels to Tehran.