Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s interview with Fox News contained strategic errors that could damage Iran’s position in future nuclear talks, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency said on Tuesday.
The outlet said Araghchi’s acknowledgment that the US strikes caused “serious damage” to nuclear facilities and led to a halt in enrichment signaled weakness.
“Our facilities have been damaged – seriously damaged,” Araghchi said. “The extent of which is now under evaluation … enrichment has currently ceased.”
Fars called the remarks exaggerated and warned that such statements could be viewed as a sign of excessive flexibility, encouraging the West to increase pressure on Iran.
The agency linked the remarks to a recent comment by US President Donald Trump, who said, “If necessary, we will strike again.”
Araghchi downplays fatwa targeting Trump
Fars also criticized Araghchi for dismissing a clerical fatwa calling for the killing of Trump as a move by “radical groups.” The decree, issued by two senior Iranian clerics, has drawn support from others and sparked online fundraising.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Araghchi directly about the fundraising activity. In response, Araghchi distanced the government from the fatwa, a stance Fars said signaled weakness and undermined Iran’s unified position against what it called foreign aggression.
In the same interview, Araghchi also addressed the slogan “Death to America,” saying it is aimed at US foreign policy, not the American people. “It means death to US foreign policy, not death to the people,” he said.
A statement from Iran’s parliament last week said the slogan means “death to Trump” and “those who rule America,” directly targeting US leaders.
Iran denies seeking Israel’s destruction
The interview also drew attention for Araghchi’s comments about Iran’s position on Israel. When asked about threats from Iran-backed groups to wipe Israel off the map, he said: “That is up to them… but this has never been Iran’s policy to wipe out Israel from the map.”
Fars did not directly reference that part of the exchange, but the remarks contrast with statements made by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials over the years expressing support for Israel’s elimination.
Despite affirming Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment, Iran's top diplomat failed to maintain the right balance between diplomacy and deterrence, Fars said.
The interview aired ahead of renewed nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany, as Tehran faces threats of a UN snapback mechanism and possible reimposition of international sanctions.