In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said decades of hostility between Iran and the United States stem largely from misunderstandings that emerged after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and have continued to shape Washington’s policies ever since. He argued that American governments, including the administration of President Donald Trump, have relied more on external narratives and indirect assessments than on genuine engagement with Iranian society and its political realities.
Araghchi said the Islamic Revolution fundamentally altered Iran’s relationship with the United States by replacing a Western-backed monarchy with the Islamic Republic, a shift he believes Washington never fully understood. According to him, this lack of understanding led to a sustained period of confrontation marked by sanctions, political pressure and regional conflicts. He claimed Iran has faced repeated attempts to weaken it, including economic restrictions and support for adversaries during past wars, describing these actions as part of a long cycle of mistrust that has defined bilateral relations for nearly five decades.
The Iranian foreign minister also accused Israeli lobbying groups of shaping American perceptions of Iran through what he described as misinformation campaigns. He said US policymakers lacked direct insight into Iranian society and were instead influenced by narratives that portrayed Iran as a constant threat. Despite these criticisms, Araghchi maintained that Tehran remains open to improving relations if Washington adopts what he called a respectful and dialogue-based approach, suggesting that mutual engagement through diplomacy could change the trajectory of ties between the two countries.
His remarks come as Iran and the United States prepare for another round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, at a time of heightened regional tensions. Araghchi said meaningful progress would depend on whether the US chooses dialogue grounded in mutual respect rather than pressure-based policies.
Addressing concerns about Iran’s missile programme, the foreign minister rejected allegations that Tehran is developing long-range weapons capable of targeting the United States. He said Iran has deliberately limited the range of its missiles to under 2,000 kilometres and described the programme as purely defensive, intended to deter threats rather than project global military power. He further argued that Iran’s military posture is shaped by regional security concerns and accused Israel of driving instability, while insisting that Tehran would continue maintaining defensive capabilities for national security.
