Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly rejected the prospect of direct negotiations with the United States, calling such talks “meaningless.” This statement comes after US President Donald Trump expressed a preference for direct discussions with Tehran over its nuclear program, claiming it would be more efficient than negotiating through intermediaries.
Trump’s call for negotiations was coupled with threats of military action, with the president warning that the US could resort to bombing Iran if diplomacy fails. However, Araghchi criticized these threats, emphasizing that negotiations with a party that continuously threatens force would serve no purpose. He stressed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, but reaffirmed that the country would be firm in defending its sovereignty.
The US and Iran’s relationship has been strained for decades, particularly over Iran’s nuclear activities. While Western countries, led by the US, accuse Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons, Iran maintains that its nuclear pursuits are for civilian purposes only. This disagreement escalated after the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which had provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear ambitions.
In retaliation to the US pullout, Iran has progressively reduced its commitments to the agreement and has accelerated its nuclear activities, prompting further tensions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the country is open to negotiations with the US on “equal footing,” but questioned the sincerity of Washington’s calls for dialogue, especially when accompanied by threats.
As the rhetoric intensifies, Iran’s top military official, Hossein Salami, declared that the country is “ready” for war but made it clear that it would not initiate conflict. The situation remains precarious, with Iran warning that any attack on its sovereignty could push it towards nuclear weapons development something it has repeatedly denied seeking.
