No trust in US; India our friend: Iran FM Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said Tehran has no trust in the US and stressed that India remains a close and trusted partner of Iran, while addressing a special media briefing in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
When asked whether Iran would support India in meeting its energy needs, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi told The Pioneer, “Iran is ready to supply energy to India, if India is willing to receive it.”
The Iranian foreign minister was speaking at a press conference at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi, against the backdrop of images of the Strait of Hormuz and the Minab 168 exhibition, which commemorates the 168 schoolgirls Iran says were killed during the US-Israel military strikes on Iran.
Speaking about the ongoing tensions and negotiations between Tehran and Washington, Araghchi sharply criticised the US and said, “Iran has every reason to not to trust US, American have every reason to trust Iran.”
The Iranian foreign minister is in the national Capital to attend the BRICS meeting and expressed gratitude for India’s hospitality during his visit. He also highlighted the deep historical and civilisational ties between India and Iran.
“India and Iran are ancient civilizations and friendly countries. We have had very good relations with India,” Araghchi said.
His remarks come amid renewed uncertainty over diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington following recent tensions linked to Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues.
Araghchi said negotiations with the US will move forward only if Washington demonstrated seriousness and consistency in its diplomatic commitments. He noted that mixed signals from the US administration had further deepened mistrust between the two countries.
The Iranian minister also referred to the tense situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important oil shipping routes. He described the situation as “very complicated” but maintained that commercial passage through the waterway would continue under certain conditions.
The comments follow recent statements by US President Donald Trump, who urged Iran to quickly reach an agreement and ensure uninterrupted access through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also reiterated that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Iranian officials have continued to signal that diplomacy remains possible if economic sanctions and military pressure are reduced. Earlier this year, Araghchi had said that a potential agreement with the US was “within reach” if all sides prioritised diplomacy.
