Iran says contacts with US ongoing but no talks underway
Photo: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (Getty Images)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran and Washington are exchanging messages, including directly and through intermediaries. At the same time, he stressed that this does not mean negotiations between the sides have begun, according to Al Jazeera.
Araghchi said he continues to receive messages directly from US special envoy Steve Witkoff, but this should not be interpreted as a negotiation process between Iran and the United States.
"I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations," the Iranian diplomat said.
The minister also stated that all communication with Washington takes place exclusively through Iran’s Foreign Ministry. According to him, there is also a parallel exchange of information between security services.
He denied claims of any negotiations with other parties inside Iran. According to him, all contacts with Washington go exclusively through the Foreign Ministry, while a separate channel of information exchange continues between security services.
In addition, Araghchi said Tehran had not responded to a 15-point US plan and had not submitted any proposals or conditions of its own to Washington. He added that Iran has not yet made a decision on possible negotiations with the United States, and the issue remains sensitive.
Separately, the Iranian Foreign Minister commented on the possible end of hostilities. According to him, Iran will not agree to a pause or temporary ceasefire and is only ready to discuss a full end to the war across the region.
US–Iran talks
Recent statements by Donald Trump on Iran have been contradictory. At first, he said that indirect contacts with Tehran are going well and that a deal could be reached very quickly, but soon afterward, he returned to issuing harsh ultimatums.
Trump said that if Iran does not agree to a deal and does not open the Strait of Hormuz, the United States will blow up and completely destroy all power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island. At the same time, he has already suggested that a deal with Tehran may not happen.
Later, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that Washington still adheres to the previously announced timeline for the operation — 4–6 weeks, of which 30 days have already passed.
At the same time, according to media reports, Trump later signaled to his aides that he is ready to end the war even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.
