TEHRAN — Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has delivered a sharp message to Washington and its European allies, asserting that while Iran remains open to “fair and balanced” diplomacy, it will never negotiate under the shadow of threats or accept dictates from foreign powers.

Speaking in a comprehensive interview with CNN Turk during his visit to Istanbul on Friday, Araghchi detailed his strategic consultations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

The visit took place amidst a surge in U.S. military posturing and aggressive rhetoric from Washington.

Araghchi emphasized that Tehran and Ankara share a deep-rooted commitment to regional stability, standing together against “sinister plots” aimed at fragmenting the region.

“Iran has never abandoned diplomacy,” Araghchi noted, confirming that intermediaries deliver messages from U.S. officials almost daily. However, he dismissed these overtures as “artificial” if they are accompanied by coercion.

“Negotiation is a give-and-take. No one can determine the result before the process begins. If the U.S. wants serious diplomacy, it must first abandon its policy of intimidation and treat Iran with mutual respect.”

Addressing the recent history of U.S.-Israeli aggression, the Foreign Minister pointed to the June 2025 strikes on Iran as a turning point that shattered trust. He said that those attacks occurred precisely while indirect talks were progressing in Muscat.

“The June aggression was a failure; they achieved none of their objectives and were forced to seek a ceasefire after 12 days. We have learned from that experience. Our ballistic missiles are ready, and our response to any new folly will be shocking and more powerful than ever before.”

The foreign minister added that the U.S. “must give assurances that not only it will not launch a new attack, but even that there will be no threat.”

Araghchi also addressed the European Union’s recent “strategic blunder” in designating the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

He characterized the move as a desperate act of submission to U.S. dictates. “The IRGC is a legitimate, constitutional pillar of our sovereign state. Without their sacrifices, Daesh [ISIS] would be operating in the heart of Europe today,” he stated, warning that Iran’s Parliament is prepared to reciprocate by blacklisting European militaries.

Touching on domestic issues, Araghchi clarified the nature of recent unrest, distinguishing between citizens with economic grievances and “armed terrorists” who hijacked protests to serve foreign agendas.

He said that official records show 3,117 fatalities. Of this figure, the minister said, over 2,000 are martyrs, mostly security personnel and civilians. He dismissed Western claims of much higher casualties as “big lies” intended to justify “regime change” fantasies that have no basis in reality.

In his discussions with Turkish top officials, Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s position that the security of the region must be managed by regional states and not extra-regional powers.

He reaffirmed Iran’s support for Syrian territorial integrity and the necessity of ending the Israeli occupation of Syrian lands.

“We are ready for any scenario,” Araghchi concluded. “Whether through the path of diplomacy or the necessity of defense, the dignity of the Iranian nation is non-negotiable.”