Iran’s Foreign Minister denies US talks, calls mediation ‘admission of defeat’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly denied that any negotiations are taking place between Tehran and Washington to end the ongoing conflict, dismissing US claims of diplomatic engagement as posturing.

No direct talks

“There are no ongoing talks with the US,” Araghchi said in comments carried by state-run Press TV. He clarified that while Washington is sending messages through various mediators, “exchange of messages via mediators does not mean negotiations.” The distinction suggests Iran is rejecting the notion of formal diplomatic engagement despite reported back-channel communications.

Accusation of weakness

Araghchi characterized US talk about negotiations with Iran as “an admission of defeat.” He questioned Washington’s apparent shift in tone, asking: “Didn’t they claim unconditional surrender before? So why are they now mobilizing their top officials to negotiate?” The remarks reflect Tehran’s skepticism toward US overtures following weeks of intense military strikes.

Conflict continues

The denial of negotiations comes amid sustained hostilities following the US-Israeli offensive against Iran launched Feb. 28, which has killed more than 1,340 people including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, while the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, disrupting global energy markets.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking to CBS’s Face the Nation, Araghchi described the conflict that began with a barrage of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 as “a war of choice” that has targeted Iranian civilians and military installations alike.

“We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation,” he said. “We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes. And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”

On the prospect of talks with the U.S., Araghchi said: “We don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans, because we were talking with them when they decided to attack us, and that was for the second time. There is no good experience talking with Americans.”

The interview comes after President Donald Trump has claimed several times in recent days that Iran is interested in negotiating a deal, but that he has rejected those overtures. Late Friday, he posted on Truth Social that Iran “is totally defeated and wants a deal — but not a deal that I would accept.” 
The following day, he told NBC News that while Iran “wants to make a deal,” he would not pursue one because the proposed terms “aren’t good enough yet.”

Trump Administration officials have warned in recent days that the current conflict could last several more weeks, as Iran has continued to launch drones and missiles into neighboring countries hosting U.S. forces. 
Araghchi framed those strikes as defensive actions, saying countries such as Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates “gave their soil to American forces to attack us… We cannot just remain silent on this.” He insisted Iran only targets American assets.

“There are, you know, people being killed only because President Trump wants to have fun,” Araghchi told CBS. “This is a war of choice by President Trump and the United States, and we are going to continue our self-defense.”
Iranian missile and drone strikes on the Gulf and Israel have killed more than 30 people, in addition to 13 U.S. service members.

Araghchi also addressed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for global oil trade, where Iran has restricted passage to U.S. and Israeli vessels. Araghchi said Iran has provided safe passage to other countries that requested it, but declined to identify them.

“We provide security to pass because we have not closed this strait. They are not coming themselves because of the insecurity…because of the aggression by the U.S.,” he told CBS.

Araghchi further discussed Iran’s nuclear program, noting that roughly 440 kilograms of enriched material remain under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision after prior attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. While Iran had previously offered to dilute highly enriched uranium in negotiations with the U.S. officials, Araghchi said, “There is nothing on the table right now. Everything depends on the future.”

The minister dismissed concerns that Iran’s stance could isolate it internationally or jeopardize future trade.

“We are stable and strong enough. There is no experience, good experience, talking with Americans,” he said, referencing past diplomatic efforts that collapsed before attacks escalated. He added: “We were talking, so why they decided to attack us? So what is good if we go back to talk once again?”

- Agencies