Iran blames US for economic woes, dismisses Trump’s comments on regional instability
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s speech in Riyadh, accusing Washington of stoking instability.
“Trump tries to portray Iran as the source of insecurity. But who killed 60,000 people in Gaza? Are we the ones spreading chaos?” Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting television, Araghchi told reporters.
Trump, addressing Saudi officials in Riyadh, said Iran was the “biggest and most destructive” force in the region. “There could be no sharper contrast with the path you have pursued on the Arabian Peninsula than the disaster unfolding right across in the Gulf in Iran,” he said.
He vowed to inflict massive maximum pressure if Tehran rejected renewed nuclear talks. “(The US will) will take all action required to stop the regime from ever having a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Araghchi dismissed the approach as failed coercion. “The policy of maximum pressure has already failed,” he said, adding that Tehran awaits Oman’s coordination to resume talks and remains committed to negotiation.
“It is America that, through its sanctions over the past forty-some years, along with its pressures and its military and non-military threats, has hindered the progress of the Iranian nation; the one responsible for the economic problems is America,” he added.
