The next is the transcript of the interview with Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Feb. 22, 2026.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. has assembled what’s, by some measures, the largest army buildup within the area for the reason that 2003 invasion of Iraq, because the world’s largest warship additionally heads in direction of the area. However President Trump has stated he’d desire a diplomatic take care of Iran. For the most recent, we go now to Tehran and the Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi. Welcome to ‘Face The Nation.’
FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAGHCHI: Properly, thanks, Margaret. Thanks a lot for having me this night.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So do you consider President Trump plans to strike Iran, or is he utilizing this menace as leverage?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, I am not- I can’t choose. However one truth is there that in the event that they wish to discover a decision for Iran’s peaceable nuclear program, the one means is diplomacy. And we’ve proved this up to now, and I consider that also, there’s a good likelihood to have a diplomatic resolution which relies on a win-win sport, and an answer is at our attain. So there isn’t a want for any army buildup. And army buildup can’t assist it, and can’t pressurize us.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, you stated on Friday that you’d have a draft proposal inside two to a few days. Have you ever gotten the supreme chief to log out on that proposal but? And in that case, when will you give it to envoy Steve Witkoff?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, we’re nonetheless engaged on that, and we are attempting to make it one thing which consists of components which may accommodate either side’ considerations and pursuits, and we’re engaged on these components. And I consider that once we meet, in all probability this Thursday, in Geneva once more, we are able to work on these components and put together a superb textual content and are available to a quick deal. That is my understanding. I see it fairly attainable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So you may have confirmed a gathering with Steve Witkoff Thursday in Geneva, however your management has nonetheless not signed off on the proposal. Is that proper?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: However these are two separate issues. After all, we proceed our negotiation. On the similar time we’re engaged on it- on- on- on on the weather of a deal, and draft of the textual content. So I hope that once we get there, we’re ready to speak and negotiate on these drafts.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, let me ask you this. You helped negotiate that 2015 nuclear deal underneath the Obama administration. How would this take care of Trump be totally different than that one?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, 10 years have handed, and there’s a new state of affairs. Our nuclear program has superior, technologically extra superior at the moment, and there are, after all, extra sanctions and extra pressures. So I consider that a greater deal than JCPOA or 2015 nuclear deal is feasible. And there are components that are- might be significantly better than the earlier deal. So–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –Like what?
MINISTER ARACHI: I’ve the experience- I’ve the expertise of that- that deal, as you stated, I negotiated that deal. We went into so many particulars, however I believe proper now, there isn’t a want for that a lot particulars. We are able to agree on staple items, and we are able to ensure that Iran’s program, nuclear program, is peaceable and can stay peaceable without end, and on the same- similar time, extra sanctions can be lifted.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, simply in a short time you are speaking about nuclear, you’re providing a nuclear solely deal at this stage? As a result of Secretary Rubio stated something significant would additionally should contain ballistic missiles and your help for proxies within the area.
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Proper now, we’re negotiating solely nuclear and there’s no different topic.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Would you be prepared to permit weapons inspectors unfettered entry to your nuclear websites and for American inspectors to be amongst them?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, we’re a dedicated member of NPT, Non-Proliferation Treaty, and we’ve a safeguard settlement with the company, Worldwide Atomic Power Company, and we’re prepared to- to cooperate with the company in full, in response to the, you understand, safeguard and we could settle for, in sure circumstances, the extra protocol to the safeguard, to the NPT. And I believe a full verification mechanism, full monitoring mechanism, is appropriate and will be in place.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, so that you proceed to say that your nuclear program is peaceable. And you understand, there are a variety of skeptics all over the world, together with in america Congress. There may be strain on President Trump from inside his personal social gathering. There have been 52 Republican senators, 177 Home Republicans who’ve known as on President Trump to demand zero enrichment and full dismantlement of your nuclear program. Why ought to President Trump take into account permitting Iran to have even the smallest little bit of enrichment?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, initially, enrichment is our proper. We’re a member of NPT, and we’ve each proper to take pleasure in a peaceable nuclear vitality, together with enrichment. How we use this- this proper is one thing you understand associated to us solely. The enrichment is a delicate a part of our negotiation. The American group know about- they know our place, we all know their place, and we’ve already exchanged our considerations, and I believe an answer is achievable, however I am not going to barter by way of media.
MARGARET BRENNAN: No, I perceive, however we’ve seen very public statements from the president that he stated no enrichment, and that is a pink line. However whenever you say it is your proper, okay, however you can get enriched uranium and purchase it from someplace else. You understand this. You have performed this. Is demanding the appropriate to counterpoint on Iranian soil actually definitely worth the danger proper now? You are going through a possible destruction of your nation and the regime based mostly on the form of army buildup we’re taking a look at.
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, I believe, as a sovereign nation, we’ve each proper to determine for ourselves, by ourselves. We’ve developed this expertise by ourselves, by our scientists, and it’s totally pricey to us, as a result of we’ve paid a lot- we’ve paid an enormous expense for that. We’ve been on the sanctions for- for a minimum of 20 years and we’ve misplaced our scientists, and we have- we’ve had a struggle due to that. So that’s now a matter of dignity and delight for Iranians, and we’re not going to provide it up. There is no such thing as a authorized purpose to try this, whereas every part is peaceable, whereas every part is safeguarded by the company, whereas we had an settlement up to now once we were- we stay totally dedicated to that, and you understand, it was the U.S. who simply withdrew with no justification. So we’re a dedicated member of NPT. We wish to use our proper. We wish to have our proper and to train that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you perceive this might be make it or break it for you right here. I imply, look, your air defenses had been largely demolished by Israel this previous summer season. They dominate your army. They killed the chief of your strongest proxy in Hezbollah america bombed your underground nuclear services. Your financial system is in shambles proper now. So why do you assume the regime may even survive except you give this up?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, that isn’t the case whenever you talked concerning the air protection and the struggle we had with Israel. You understand, sure, we had drawback with our air protection, however Israelis had additionally drawback with their air protection and our missile- missiles had been capable of hit targets inside Israel. So it’s- so you understand, they began the struggle, however after 12 days, they requested for a stop hearth, unconditional stop hearth. Why? As a result of they could not defend themselves in opposition to our missiles. So we’ve an excellent functionality of missiles, and now we’re even in a greater state of affairs than earlier struggle. In order a matter of truth, we’re in a robust place to defend ourselves. We all know how one can defend ourselves. We did it in the- in 12 day struggle, and we’re totally ready to repeat that, if vital.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Respectfully, Israel has air superiority over Iran. However let’s discuss what you’re- you’re saying when it comes to your–
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: –no, our missiles- our missiles have also- our missiles have additionally superiority over the house of Israel. They’ll hit their targets. They hit their targets in a really precise means, they usually can do it once more.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Properly, there are 40,000 American personnel within the Center East proper now, in Iran’s letter to the U.N. Safety Council, you appear to threaten them, since you stated America will bear full duty. You stated you don’t need struggle. But when that is what occurs, all bases, services and belongings of the hostile pressure within the area shall be legit targets. Are you saying Iran will hit U.S. bases within the Gulf, or will you additionally bomb the Gulf international locations which can be your neighbors?
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Properly, I am not going to say what we’re going to do precisely. Clearly, we defend ourselves. If the U.S. attack- assaults us, then we’ve each proper to defend ourselves. If the U.S. assaults us that’s the act of aggression. What we do in response is the act of self protection. So- and it’s justifiable and legit. So our missiles can’t hit the American soil. So clearly we’ve to do one thing else. We’ve to hit, you understand, the Individuals’ base within the area. That- that is- that may be a truth. I’m a diplomat. I am not supposed to speak about, you understand, our army plans, however what can I say is that why we must always go for struggle when there may be each risk for a peaceable resolution?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. International Minister, I’ve extra questions for you, however I’m out of time right here. We’re going to watch this diplomacy very fastidiously to see what occurs within the coming days. Thanks for becoming a member of us. We’ll be proper back–
MINISTER ARAGHCHI: Thanks, thank you–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –with much more ‘Face the Nation.’ Stick with us.
