TEHRAN (Tasnim) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected recent anti-Iran remarks made by US President Donald Trump, condemning Washington for blocking Iran's development through illegal sanctions and ignoring the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza.

He tries to portray Iran as the cause of insecurity, but who killed 60,000 people in Gaza? Araqchi told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday.

Is it us who cause insecurity? he wondered,denouncing the US president for misrepresenting Iran as a source of regional instability.

While affirming Tehrans commitment to diplomatic talks, Araqchi said Iran is awaiting Omans announcement of the time and location for the next round of indirect talks with the United States.

Our approach is to pursue negotiations, Araqchi said, adding, The other side should realize that the maximum pressure policy has already failed.

Araqchi rejected Trumps anti-Iran speech in Riyadh as highly deceptive, saying Iran chose its own development path through the Islamic Revolution.

What he expressed is highly deceptive. What he said about countries choosing the path of development is exactly the path the Iranian nation chose through their Islamic Revolutionto build a democratic, free, prosperous, and advanced country. It is the United States that has obstructed the Iranian nations progress through sanctions and military threats.

He blamed the US for Irans economic difficulties, saying Washington seeks a submissive and dependent government, which contradicts the dignity of the Iranian people.

By ignoring Israeli crimes, Trump portrays Iran as the source of insecurity, Araqchi said.

This is a clear act of deception and threat displacement.

"Who has killed 60,000 people in Gaza? Who has violated the surroundings (countries)of Palestine? The territory Israel has occupied in Syria in just the past few months is larger than the entire area of Gaza," Araqchi said, adding that efforts to label Iran as a regional threat aim to distract the world from the real source of instability.

But I dont think they will succeed, he stated.

Araqchi also stressed Irans desire for a regional consensus over the talks and a potential agreement, saying, We strongly want a regional understanding to emergewithout any foreign interferencethat enhances security and mutual perception between Iran and neighboring countries.

Commenting on talks with European states, Araqchi said, Unfortunately, the Europeans have isolated themselves to some extent due to their own policies.

We do not seek such a situation and will continue our negotiations.

Araqchi said the next round of talks at the deputy foreign minister level is expected to take place Friday in Istanbul.