Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday warned that his country had every right to respond to any US attack, even though he said there was a “good chance" for a diplomatic solution amid escalating tensions.

Speaking toCBS News, Araghchi reiterated that Iran had a right to continued uranium enrichment for civilian purposes, and to strike US interests in the Middle East in response to any aggression.

“If the US attacks us, then we have every right to defend ourselves. If the US attacks us, that is the act of aggression. What we do in response is an act of self-defence," he said. “It is justified, legitimate. So our missiles cannot hit the American soil. So obviously we have to do something else. We have to hit, you know, the American base in the region."

However, Araghchi said there was a “good chance" that another round of talks with US negotiators in Geneva later this week would head off renewed military strikes based on a “win-win game". Araghchi says he will likely meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva.

US negotiators are ready to hold another round of talks with Iran on Friday in Geneva if they receive a detailed Iranian proposal for a nuclear deal in the next 48 hours, Axios reported, citing a senior US official. This came after Iran said it would be submitting a draft proposal for an agreement.

Iran currently holds uranium enriched to 60%, near weapons grade, but is offering to down-blend it to 20% or below. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there had been no US demand to end domestic enrichment. The main focus is on the purity of the uranium and the number of centrifuges Iran would be allowed to operate.

Araghchi said Iranian negotiators are “working on elements" of a possible nuclear deal with the US. Tehran had earlier refused to export its 300kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium but says it will lower its purity under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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Trump had repeatedly signalled an imminent strike on Iran with a massive military buildup in the region. Reports suggest that Trump is considering authorising a limited military strike on Iran to pressure Tehran into agreeing to his terms for a nuclear deal.

Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News