Tehran, YJC. Deputy Foreign Minister says the most urgent need to improve Iran-West relations is for the two sides to simultaneously meet each other’s concerns.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi appeared on a
talk show on IRINN to provide the latest positions on Iran-5+1 talks.
Araqchi said "The first step must be taken simultaneously by
both sides. Our proposal is for the two sides to meet each other’s most urgent
concerns. For us, building trust means that sanctions are lifted, which was
agreed to by the opposite side as well.”
"After so much time we were finally able to take a common
path. We used to take different paths; our demands, views, and approaches used
to be different from each other,” he further pointed out.
He mentioned that there is much opposition and hindrance to Iran-West
agreements, adding "What is important is that at the end of two days of negotiations
the Iranian initiative for further talks was agreed to by the other side.”
Araqchi further said "We are neither optimistic nor excited.
We see these negotiations as a diplomatic combat. We believe the same kind of
war that used to go on with Saddam exists here as well. We do not trust the
enemy, because the enemy is the enemy.”
He also claimed that the secret status of the talks is a
sign of their seriousness, adding "Open talks mean propaganda war. Real negotiations,
even if you are going to buy a house, remain secret.”