Iran prepared for ‘fair’ talks with US but not on defence capabilities, FM Araghchi says

ISTANBUL: Iran is prepared for the resumption of talks with the United States, but they should be fair and not include Iran’s defence capabilities, Iran’s chief diplomat said on Friday, as regional powers work to prevent military conflict between the two foes.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he planned to speak with Iran, even as the US sent another warship to the Middle East and the Pentagon chief said the military would be ready to carry out whatever the president decided.

One of the main demands by the US to resume talks with Iran is curbing its missile programme, a senior Iranian official told Reuters last week. Iran rejects that demand.

“If negotiations are fair and equitable, Iran is ready to participate in such talks,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul.

Araghchi said no talks between Tehran and Washington were currently arranged.

Regional allies, including Turiye’s, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, have been engaging in diplomatic efforts to prevent a military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

In response to US threats of military action, Araghchi said Tehran was ready for either negotiations or warfare.

Araghchi, who described his talks with Hakan Fidan as “good and useful”, also said Tehran was ready to engage with regional countries to promote stability and peace.