TEHRAN: Iran’s foreign minister said on Sunday that Washington’s current stance toward Tehran shows no willingness for “equal and fair negotiations,” responding to US President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion of possible talks.
“The US cannot expect to gain what it couldn’t in war through negotiations,” Abbas Araqchi said during a Tehran conference named “international law under assault.”
Araghchi affirmed Iran’s readiness for dialogue, stating that the nation has never abandoned the negotiation table. He criticised the US for its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement, which was a betrayal of diplomatic commitments.
“Iran will always be prepared to engage in diplomacy, but not negotiations meant for dictation,” he added.
He concluded that as long as the conditions for fair negotiations exist, Iran remains committed to pursuing diplomatic solutions to ongoing issues.
In June, the US conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities that Washington says were part of a programme geared toward developing nuclear weapons. Tehran says that its nuclear programme is for purely civilian purposes.
The 12-day conflict with Israel, during which Iran launched missile and drone strikes in response, disrupted the nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington that had started in April.
A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in effect since June 24.
Iran’s administration spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani has also termed the West’s talks as coercive and warned of a stronger response to any future attacks.
In an interview with al-Mayadeen television, Mohajerani stated that negotiations with the West are futile as long as they remain one-sided and rooted in domination and pressure.
She also acknowledged that Iran has received messages from various intermediaries expressing a willingness to resume talks.
Mohajerani underscored Iran’s rejection of unilateral diplomacy, its right to self-defense, and its commitment to deepening strategic relations with neighboring and allied countries.
