Araghchi: U.S. Prisoners in Iran Safe Unless Prisons Attacked | DISCUSS

On Sunday, March 15, 2026, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the safety of American citizens held in Iranian custody during an interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS’s Face the Nation.

When asked if the Americans currently detained—including journalist Reza Valizadeh and 61-year-old Kamran Hekmati—were safe, Araghchi issued a pointed warning to the United States and Israel.

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The "Conditional Safety" Warning

The Foreign Minister’s response underscored the volatility of the ongoing conflict between Tehran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition:

The Quote: "Well, if the U.S. and Israel do not attack our prisons, I guess they are safe," Araghchi stated.

Context of the Conflict: The remarks follow a series of U.S. and Israeli air strikes that have targeted Iranian infrastructure and security facilities since late February 2026.

Amnesty Alerts: Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have previously warned that strikes near facilities like Evin Prison put thousands of arbitrarily detained individuals at "grave risk" of harm.

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War of Survival vs. War of Choice

Throughout the interview, Araghchi framed the current hostilities as a "war of choice" by the Trump administration:

Rejection of Talks: Araghchi reiterated that Tehran sees "no reason" to negotiate with the U.S. at this time, citing a lack of positive experience with previous diplomatic efforts that were followed by military action.

State Stability: He dismissed the idea that the conflict is a "war of survival" for the Iranian government, asserting that the state remains "stable and strong".

Nuclear Under the Rubble: The minister confirmed that enriched nuclear material remains "under the rubble" of facilities struck by the coalition but insisted that any future recovery would be under the supervision of the IAEA.

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Internet Access and the "Voice of Iranians"

The interview also touched on the discrepancy between the Iranian public’s lack of internet access and the leadership's use of global platforms:

The Justification: When questioned on why he had access to Zoom and the open internet while most Iranians do not, Araghchi replied: "I’m the voice of Iranians, and I have to defend their right... have our voice being heard by the international community".

Security Shutdown: He defended the domestic internet blackout as an "urgent measure" taken for security reasons during wartime.

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