Araghchi: “Trump Was Given False Information”

Kokcha News Agency – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has claimed that Donald Trump was given false information about Iran’s nuclear program being close to weaponization earlier this year. In a message posted on social media platform X, Araghchi wrote, “It has become clearer than ever that Trump was given the wrong line,” referring to claims that Iran’s nuclear program was nearing weaponization in the spring of this year.

Trump, in a speech at the Israeli Knesset yesterday, expressed his willingness to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities to achieve a new deal, stating that his “hand of friendship is still extended toward Iran.”

In a response to Trump’s remarks, Araghchi questioned how the Iranian people could trust an olive branch extended by the same hand that, just four months ago, was involved in bombing homes and centers across Iran. He noted that those “criminal attacks” killed over 1,000 Iranians, including women and children.

Araghchi also dismissed the claim that Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons, calling it “clearly a big lie” and stating that there was “no evidence to support it.” He added that the U.S. intelligence community did not confirm such claims.

The Foreign Minister further criticized Trump, stating that it is difficult to call someone a “president of peace” who stands alongside “war criminals” and escalates “endless wars.”

Israel and the U.S. bombed nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow during a 12-day war earlier this year. Prior to these attacks, Iranian and American delegations had held five rounds of indirect talks.

Western countries claim that these talks, which addressed issues such as uranium enrichment, had reached a deadlock. Iran, however, has called the attacks on its nuclear facilities a “betrayal” of diplomacy.

Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Strongly Worded Statement:
Araghchi’s message came hours after the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement criticizing Trump’s call for “peace and dialogue,” calling it contradictory to the “hostile and criminal actions of the U.S. against the Iranian people.”

The Foreign Ministry stated, “How can one attack residential areas and peaceful nuclear facilities of a country in the middle of political negotiations, killing over 1,000 innocent people, including women and children, and then claim peace and friendship?”

The statement also condemned Trump’s “baseless accusations and irresponsible, shameful claims” about Iran, made during his speech at the Israeli Knesset.

Trump traveled to Sharm El-Sheikh after his speech in Israel. Iran had declined Egypt’s invitation to attend the international peace summit on Gaza in Sharm El-Sheikh. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also declined the invitation, but leaders from countries such as France, Turkey, the UK, Spain, and Italy attended.

In his speech at the Knesset, Trump said, “Even for Iran, whose regime has caused many deaths in the Middle East, the hand of friendship and cooperation is still extended.”

He added, “They want to make a deal, and we’ll see if we can do something.”

While defending the military strike on Iran, Trump also stated, “Neither the United States nor Israel has any enmity with the Iranian people. We just want to live in peace.”

International Calls for Resumption of Nuclear Talks:
The criticism from Iranian officials comes as leaders from the UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement on Friday calling for the resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S.

Two days ago, Araghchi said, “We currently have no request for talks from anyone. The experiences of the past year, including talks with the U.S. and Europe, have made it very clear what the fate of these talks has been.”

Earlier this month, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “Negotiations with the U.S. are of no benefit and only bring harm,” adding that “no country will agree to negotiate under threat.”

Western countries have accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, but Iran has consistently emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.