Amanpour asks Iranian official how they will respond if US strikes nuclear facilities

Summary

In this interview, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, Majid Ravanchi, discusses Israel's aggressive actions against Iran, including airstrikes on civilian and military targets. He emphasizes Iran's self-defense and refusal to negotiate under threat, criticizing American and European support for Israel. Ravanchi denies any intentions for regime change or nuclear weapon development, highlighting Iran's peaceful nuclear program. Despite hardships, he asserts a strong national cohesion to resist foreign aggression, rejecting any involvement in nuclear weaponization while questioning the sincerity of U.S. negotiations. He warns that any further military involvement would lead to retaliation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iran describes the Israeli airstrikes as an act of aggression, targeting civilians, including university professors, medical personnel, and residential areas, leading to significant loss and hardship for the Iranian people.
• 😀 Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister stresses that the Israeli airstrikes also targeted critical nuclear facilities, including uranium enrichment and centrifuge sites, which are safeguarded under international law by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).
• 😀 Despite being under attack, Iran asserts that they are defending themselves and have no intention of negotiating while under threat. They emphasize that diplomacy cannot proceed under aggression.
• 😀 The Deputy Foreign Minister rejects claims of Iran trying to engage with the U.S. or Israel for negotiations, clarifying that Iran is not begging for talks but instead focusing on self-defense.
• 😀 President Trump’s potential involvement in military strikes is mentioned, with Iran warning that if the U.S. joins the conflict, they will retaliate and protect their people and interests, including nuclear sites under international protection.
• 😀 Iran denies any intentions to pursue nuclear weaponization, asserting that their uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes, and their actions comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• 😀 The Iranian government does not accept any imposed deadlines for negotiations, such as the 60-day deadline that President Trump had set, viewing it as a betrayal of the diplomatic process.
• 😀 Iran maintains that it has been negotiating in good faith with the U.S. in the past but accuses the U.S. of sabotaging talks by launching an attack just before a new round of negotiations.
• 😀 The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasizes that Iran will not engage in negotiations while under bombardment, and they will continue to resist foreign aggression and interference in their domestic affairs.
• 😀 Despite attacks degrading military capability, Iran vows to survive and stresses that its people, regardless of political opinions, have unified resistance against foreign intervention, drawing parallels to their historical resistance against Saddam Hussein’s aggression in the 1980s.

Q & A

What event triggered the aggression against Iran discussed in the script?

The aggression began with an Israeli attack on Iran two days before a scheduled round of talks with the Americans on June 15th, 2025. The attack targeted various areas, including residential zones, paramedics, citizens, university professors, and nuclear facilities.

How does Deputy Foreign Minister Ravanchi characterize the Israeli airstrikes on Iran?

Deputy Foreign Minister Ravanchi characterizes the airstrikes as an act of aggression and a crime against humanity. He emphasizes that these attacks were indiscriminate, targeting civilians, paramedics, and even protected nuclear sites, violating international law.

What stance does Iran take regarding negotiations with the U.S. under threat?

Iran refuses to engage in negotiations while under threat. Deputy Foreign Minister Ravanchi asserts that they are not begging for negotiations but are defending their country. Iran has always promoted diplomacy but cannot negotiate while facing continuous aggression.

How does Ravanchi respond to the idea that the U.S. might intervene in the conflict?

Ravanchi states that if the U.S. becomes directly involved in the conflict, Iran will take whatever necessary steps to protect itself. He emphasizes that Iran will not be constrained in defending its interests if the U.S. collaborates with Israel militarily.

How does Iran view the possibility of regime change in response to the aggression?

Ravanchi does not directly speculate on the intentions behind the aggression but stresses that Iran is not pursuing regime change. Instead, Iran is focused on resisting foreign interference and defending itself against external aggression, citing the cohesion of Iranian society in resisting such attempts.

What is Iran's position on the enrichment of uranium to 60%?

Ravanchi defends Iran's uranium enrichment, stating that it is within their rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He clarifies that Iran's 60% enriched uranium is used for peaceful purposes and rejects accusations that it is a pretext for aggression by Israel and the U.S.

How does Ravanchi explain the discrepancy between Iran's negotiations and the U.S.'s expectations regarding deadlines?

Ravanchi rejects the idea of being bound by arbitrary deadlines. He points out that negotiations should have a mutually agreed-upon timeline. He criticizes the U.S. for attacking Iran two days before the next scheduled round of talks, accusing them of betraying the diplomatic process.

What does Ravanchi say about Iran's military capability and the possibility of retaliation?

Ravanchi emphasizes that Iran will act in self-defense if necessary. He downplays reports suggesting that Iran's military capability has been significantly degraded, asserting that the Iranian military has a calculated strategy in place and will retaliate if provoked.

How does Ravanchi respond to the accusation that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons?

Ravanchi denies that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, stating that nuclear weapons have no place in Iran's defensive doctrine. He highlights that Israel, which possesses nuclear weapons, and the U.S. should be held accountable for the chaos caused by their desire for such weapons.

What is Iran's stance on engaging with the U.S. or Israel for peace talks or negotiations?

Iran has not sought access to the White House or direct engagement with the U.S. or Israel. Ravanchi asserts that while Iran is open to diplomacy, they are not begging for negotiations, and the U.S. must stop its aggression before any productive talks can take place.