Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, reiterated that there have been no direct talks with the United States, stating that all contact has occurred through intermediaries. He argued that the recent shift in Washington’s tone signals an acknowledgment of failure, as the U.S. previously demanded unconditional surrender.
Araghchi added that the United States has sent multiple messages to Tehran in recent days via what he described as “friendly countries,” but emphasized that these communications do not constitute negotiations.
“Didn’t the Americans demand ‘unconditional surrender’? Then why are they talking about negotiations now?” Araghchi said in a televised interview on Wednesday broadcast by the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). He noted that the very fact they are speaking of negotiations is an admission of failure.
“The fact that messages are being sent and we respond with warnings or state our positions does not constitute negotiations or dialogue; it is merely an exchange of messages,” he said.
Meanwhile, the White House stated that talks with Iran continue at a rapid pace, even though Tehran did not immediately accept a 15-point plan aimed at ending the conflict.
