Iran FM says no nuclear deal if goal is to 'deprive Iran of peaceful activities'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that a nuclear deal would not be possible if the goal is to "deprive Iran of its peaceful nuclear activities".

"If the goal of the negotiations is to gain reassurance and confidence that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, then in my view, reaching an agreement is possible," he said in a joint press conference with Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty. "But if the goal is to deprive Iran of its peaceful activities, then certainly no agreement will be reached," he continued.

Araghchi said that his country has "nothing to hide" on its nuclear program, shortly after the U.N. nuclear watchdog's chief called for more transparency from Tehran.

"Iran has a peaceful nuclear program... we are prepared to provide this assurance to any party or entity. We have nothing to hide in this regard," Araghchi said in the joint press conference with Abdelatty.