FM: Iran aims to manage US tensions, rebuild EU ties if they drop hostility, lift sanctions

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has announced Iran’s willingness to manage tensions with the United States and restore relations with European countries, provided that they stop their hostility towards the Islamic Republic.

Araqchi, a former nuclear negotiator, made the remarks in an interview with Japan's Kyodo news published on Thursday, a day after he won a vote of confidence from the parliament as the new Iranian foreign minister.

He explained that as a crucial step toward removing sanctions on Iran's economy and normalizing its trade with the international community, the Foreign Ministry will seek to manage tensions with Washington and rebuild ties with European states, but only if they abandon their "hostile approach" while aiming to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift the bans.

"In my foreign policy address to the Islamic Consultative Assembly, I highlighted the crucial objective of lifting sanctions, particularly unilateral ones, through earnest, focused, and time-bound negotiations while upholding the nation's fundamental principles," he said, referring to his recent address to the parliament, where he defended his main priorities.

Abbas Araqchi, a former nuclear negotiator, vows to pursue removal of sanctions

The Iranian president’s pick for foreign minister says dignified and honorable removal of sanctions will be top on his agenda if wins the Parliament’s vote of confidence.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA) was a multilateral agreement signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany in 2015, which required Tehran to scale back some of its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of cruel sanctions imposed on the country, especially by the United States.

However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the UNSC-endorsed deal in May 2018, imposed severe economic sanctions against Tehran while Iran was adhering to its commitments under the accord and even continued to do so for a year after the US withdrawal.

Tehran started to reduce its commitments under the JCPOA in a series of pre-announced and clear steps after witnessing the other parties' failure to secure its interests under the agreement.

‘Iran to bolster ties with Japan’

Also in his interview, Araqchi, who was formerly an ambassador to Japan, emphasized that the ministry under his watch plans to boost Tehran-Tokyo ties in a bid to address the crisis gripping the region.

"I know the capacity and capabilities of Japan. Japan can be more important in Iran's energy, oil, and economy section," he said.

The top Iranian diplomat further underlined the need to unlock new avenues for economic and trade cooperation with Japan despite the US’s anti-Iran sanctions.

"We must transcend obstacles hindering our mutual interests and prioritize our vital needs. By comprehensively evaluating the current landscape, we can forge a constructive partnership to drive both nations' progress and prosperity," he added.

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