'No bribes, no threats': Iran FM says US cannot scare people who expect death at any moment

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that the United States cannot intimidate or bribe Iran, given the nation's constant expectation of potential death. Araghchi detailed his perspective on the ongoing conflict and negotiations in an interview with Mehr News, recounting his interactions with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

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In response to the illegal and unreasonable demand for zero enrichment, we resisted and stood firm. When they saw that they couldn't achieve what they wanted through negotiations, they started the war.

Araghchi claimed that the US initiated a 12-day war after Iran resisted demands for zero uranium enrichment during negotiations. He stated that Iran's steadfastness at the negotiating table forced the US to pursue a more aggressive path, ultimately resulting in their perceived defeat in that conflict.

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Have you ever been in a meeting where at any moment you think the whole meeting might be bombed? They just stared at me blankly.

Recounting a conversation with Witkoff, Araghchi described the envoy's apparent bewilderment when asked if he had ever been in a situation where he expected to be bombed or feared his phone calls might be the last. Araghchi emphasized that Iran has experienced such realities, which is why they stand firm and cannot be threatened or bribed. He stated, "You can only threaten someone who's afraid. When we go in, fully expecting that anything could happen to us at any moment, you can't scare me."

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We have experienced these things and we stood our ground. You have to talk to us differently. You can't threaten us, and you can't bribe us.

Araghchi also referenced the US operation involving Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, suggesting that Iran is not susceptible to similar tactics. He characterized the US approach as a miscalculation, particularly after the initial 12-day war, failing to account for Iran's resistance and the populace's support for the system. Araghchi concluded that the Zionist regime's expectation of a swift collapse of the Islamic Republic after a short attack was unfounded, forcing them to cease hostilities.

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No bribes, no threats. You can only threaten someone who's afraid. When we go in, fully expecting that anything could happen to us at any moment, you can't scare me.