Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was receiving a direct message from U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East. This is the first time that Iranian diplomatic authorities have acknowledged direct contact with a U.S. envoy.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on the 31st (local time), Minister Araghchi said, “I am receiving direct messages from (US special envoy Steve) Witkoff as before, but this does not mean that negotiations are underway.” He continued, “All messages are delivered or received through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and communication is also taking place between security agencies.”
However, he said he still cannot trust the United States. Minister Araghci said, “I have never had a good experience (in negotiations with the United States),” and added, “I have absolutely no confidence that negotiations with the United States will produce any results. The level of trust is ‘0.’” Although the conversation is acknowledged, “the sincerity is not being discovered.”
He went on to say that the United States has not yet responded to the 15-item final conditions presented by the United States, adding, “We have not presented any proposals or conditions either.” Previously, Special Envoy Witkoff announced at the White House Cabinet meeting on the 26th of last month that the 15-point conditions for ending the war were delivered through the Pakistani government.
Al Jazeera commented on Minister Aragchi’s remarks on this day, saying, “Most of them are not new, but the (acknowledgment of) direct contact with Witkoff is an important change.”
Meanwhile, Iranian President Massoud Fezeshkian said in a phone call with European Union (EU) Summit President Antonio Costa that day, “We have never sought tension or war,” and added, “If certain conditions are met, we will have the will necessary to end this war.” He also said there was a need to “ensure that the invasion is not repeated.”
Reporter Cheon Ho-seong rieux@hani.co.kr
