Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has not requested negotiations with the U.S. and told Washington to stop making threats of war if it seeks to engage in diplomacy.
Araghchi’s comments came after President Donald Trump said Iran is ready to make a deal to avert U.S. strikes.
Trump has sent warships into the region, which he described as an “armada”, to pressure Iran in the wake of its deadly crackdown on protests.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Araghchi said, “we have not made any request for negotiations”.
“Various intermediaries do get in touch, of course. Different countries are trying—acting in good faith, and we are in contact with them—but no decision has been made yet. This request does not exist on our side,” he said, originally in Farsi.
He continued: “How is it that on the international stage these things are always paired together—meaning both threats and diplomacy? Military diplomacy and diplomacy have always been raised and pursued. Each of these has its own path.
“Our position is exactly this: pursuing diplomacy through military threats cannot be effective or constructive. If they want negotiations to take shape, they must certainly set aside threats, excessive demands, and the raising of irrational issues.
“Negotiations must be conducted on an equal footing, based on mutual respect, and for mutual interests.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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