TEHRAN: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday ruled out any discussion on Iranian ballistic missile programme, saying no rational mind can accept that Tehran negotiate with anyone about its missile capabilities, which are “extraordinary and defensive” in nature.
He told the state TV that Iran’s talks with the E3 – France, Germany and Italy – in Geneva will focus solely on nuclear and regional issues, and that Iranian ballistic missile programme is non-negotiable.
Moreover, Araghchi rejected the idea of having talks with the US amid the continued Israeli aggression. “There is no room for negotiations with the US until the Israeli aggression stops.”
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“Iran is not prepared for talks with anyone while Israeli attacks continue.”
“After our resistance against Israel, I think countries will distance themselves from this ‘aggression,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
UN SECURITY COUNCIL IN QUESTION
Separately, Araghchi blasted the UN Security Council for its failure to implement Resolution 487, which prohibits any military attack on nuclear facilities. The reason for his reaction was Israel’s attack on the Arak Heavy Water Reactor.
In a post on X, the Iranian foreign minister said, “The Arak Heavy Water Reactor – a facility under comprehensive IAEA safeguards and under construction in strict accordance with the technical specifications agreed upon in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to eliminate any proliferation risk – was bombed yesterday in broad daylight by the Israeli regime.”
The Arak Heavy Water Reactor—a facility under comprehensive IAEA safeguards and under construction in strict accordance with the technical specifications agreed upon in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to eliminate any proliferation risk—was bombed yesterday in… pic.twitter.com/Gqswk8sKym
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 20, 2025
Amid the current situation, the Iranian foreign minister urged the Security Council to follow its own resolution. “As the Security Council convenes today, it is imperative that it upholds and enforces its own Resolution 487 – adopted unanimously in response to the Israeli regime’s 1981 attack on Iraq’s nuclear facility.”
SELECTIVE APPLICATION
He said the language in that resolution is unambiguous and added that “any military attack on nuclear facilities is an assault on the entire IAEA safeguards regime and ultimately the NPT”.
“It applies not only to past actions but also to future conduct, setting a clear legal standard against the use or threat of force targeting safeguarded nuclear installations.”
That is why he said, “If the (UN Security) Council now fails to act, it must explain to the international community why its legal principles apply only selectively on such a crucial matter. It will also hold ultimate responsibility, along with the Israeli regime, should the global non-proliferation regime one day collapse.”