Shafaq News- Doha

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that recent negotiations with Washington were conducted indirectly and focused exclusively on Iran’s nuclear file.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi described the discussions as “a good start,” cautioning, however, that progress would depend on an approach free of threats or pressure. “Confidence-building is necessary so that genuine negotiations can take place and lead to a fair outcome based on mutual interests.”

Araghchi reaffirmed that uranium enrichment remains Iran’s “legitimate right” and must continue, arguing that past military strikes and bombings had failed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. At the same time, he said Iran is prepared to reach a “reassuring agreement” on enrichment, maintaining that the nuclear issue can only be resolved through negotiations.

While no specific date has been set for a second round of talks, he added that both Tehran and Washington believe discussions should resume “soon.”

On security matters, Araghchi called Iran’s missile program a defensive issue that is not open to negotiation, warning that any US military attack on his country would be met with retaliation against American bases in the region.

“If Washington attacks us, an attack on US soil would not occur… We do not attack neighboring countries; rather, we target US bases located in them, and there is a significant difference between the two,” he explained.

The remarks followed the conclusion on Friday of US-Iran nuclear talks in Muscat, held under Omani sponsorship between a US delegation led by Envoy Steve Witkoff and an Iranian team headed by Araghchi, marking the first round of negotiations since US strikes in June on sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program during the 12-day war between Tel Aviv and Tehran.

The Iranian FM described the atmosphere as positive, saying Iran conveyed its concerns, interests, and negotiating priorities. US President Donald Trump later called the talks “very good,” while warning that failure to reach an agreement would carry “very steep” consequences for Iran.

Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington wants the talks to also address Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, support for armed groups across the region, and its domestic governance. Tehran has rejected that broader agenda, insisting the negotiations remain confined to the nuclear file, noting that it entered the talks “from a position of strength” to reach a fair and mutually acceptable understanding.

Read more: US-Iran Muscat talks: A diplomatic opening shadowed by red lines