Suhasini Haidar interview with Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi who talked about Israel-Palestine conflict and also on U.S.-Gaza plan Today World News

Will the U.S. President’s decision to rescind or review sanctions waivers for Iran, specifically on Chabahar port, impact India-Iran cooperation, and did you discuss this with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during your meeting in Muscat?

Yes, we had a lengthy discussion with the Minister. Iran attaches great importance to its relations with India, it is a very old relationship. The case of Chabahar- is not just between Iran and India. This is between Iran and the whole Indian Ocean Region. It connects the Indian Ocean Region to the Eurasian region through Iran and then from Eurasia to Europe. And this is a much fast and cheaper route using Iranian railroad. This is why India was interested to invest in this port and we are quite satisfied with the level of cooperation we have on this. We have a 10 year agreement with India, they had received waivers and were able to proceed on the port without facing any problems from the US. To your question, I would say, first of all we are not sure how much the situation has changed, it is not clear yet. We are still interested to work with our Indian friends, and it is up to them to work on this question (sanctions waiver), and we know that India is in close consultation with the US on this. 

When Mr. Trump was last in power, India cut all its oil imports from Iran, due to sanctions threats. Did you discuss the possibility of India resuming its oil intake? 

It’s totally an Indian decision. We have enough customers for our oil. 

How do you respond to the US President’s proposal for Gaza, and was this part of your conversation as well?

This is something that all countries are speaking to each other about because it is a totally unbelievable and totally unacceptable proposal. It is completely inhumane and against the principles of international law to displace a whole people from their own homeland…send them to other places. We know that all Arab countries and all Islamic countries have a joint position, and we propose to speak in a united voice at an OIC ministerial conference that is being convened on this question. I have discussed this with everyone I have met, including the Indian Foreign Minister and we hope that all countries respect the rights of Palestinian people for self-determination.

Given India’s strong ties with the US, PM Modi’s recent visit to Washington, should India play a role on the issue?

That is up to India, right? Of course Indians have always been very constructive and positive on international developments, and we appreciate any country, that plays any role, to help the Indian people.

Iran has been playing a role to help the Indian nurse on death row in Yemen, Nimish Priya… is there any progress in that case?

We are hopeful. I just spoke to Mr. Abdus Salam, Yemeni Ansar Allah’s (Houthis) envoy, who is here in Muscat. I told him about this case, and he assured me that he will try to find a way forward. It is purely a legal case, and has nothing to do with politics. It a case about a crime which the lady (Nimisha Priya) has unfortunately committed. So they are trying to find a way…. to another legal way out to address this issue and prevent her execution.