Iran has no plans to hold talks with US: FM

Iran has no immediate plans to hold talks with the United States, despite renewed diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the two countries, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said.

In an interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, Araghchi dismissed reports of an upcoming meeting between Iranian and US officials as media speculation, saying Tehran currently sees no need for direct negotiations with Washington.

“Currently, there are no plans for meetings with American officials, and any speculation to the contrary is merely media assumption,” he said, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Araghchi confirmed that Iran had received a message from US Vice President JD Vance, which was discussed at high-level meetings in Tehran.

He described Washington’s initiative to reopen diplomatic communication as a positive step but warned that any attempt to create divisions within Iran through the message would be another mistake by the United States.

The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran’s conditions for negotiations were clear and that consultations with mediators were continuing.

Qatar and Pakistan are playing key roles in efforts to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.

An Iranian delegation has travelled to Doha, while one of Araghchi’s aides is also in Qatar to continue discussions with mediators.

The negotiations reportedly involve several key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and security arrangements in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi said Iran was reviewing proposals concerning its nuclear programme and that reopening the Strait of Hormuz under Tehran’s proposed conditions could pave the way for renewed negotiations with Washington.

Iran has also demanded the lifting of sanctions, a reduction in US military presence in the region and the release of its frozen assets abroad.

Meanwhile, Araghchi warned that Iran was prepared for all possible scenarios, including renewed military confrontation.

He said the country’s armed forces had upgraded their weapons systems, addressed security vulnerabilities and tested new military equipment.

The diplomatic efforts come amid growing concerns over a possible resumption of hostilities between Iran and the United States and Israel.

The conflict began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israeli and US-linked targets in the region.

A ceasefire was reached in April, but disagreements over security, sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz have continued to complicate efforts to secure a lasting agreement.

Al Jazeera +3