Iran insists on threat-free negotiations with US before entering direct talks

Tehran has reiterated its stance on not engaging in direct negotiations with the United States unless Washington guarantees that such talks will be free from threats.

In an interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran would be open to direct dialogue with the US, but only if the talks are conducted in an atmosphere of respect and devoid of intimidation, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

Araghchi’s remarks came shortly after a significant diplomatic meeting in Tehran, where Anwar Gargash, the Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), delivered a letter from US President Donald Trump to the Iranian government. The meeting took place on March 12, with Gargash leading an Emirati delegation.

The Iranian foreign minister reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to negotiating under principles of “honor, wisdom, and expediency,” but stressed that the US must first demonstrate a genuine willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue without coercion.

Regarding the ongoing nuclear negotiations, Araghchi noted that indirect talks are ongoing, specifically through a channel with three European countries. He also revealed that the Iranian government is working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), under the leadership of Rafael Grossi, to find solutions to ongoing issues. A new proposal aimed at resolving tensions with the IAEA is currently being considered, Araghchi confirmed.

In a related development, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei delivered a speech, during the UAE delegation’s visit to Tehran, in which he dismissed the US President’s recent call for negotiations as a mere attempt to “deceive world public opinion.” Khamenei went on to issue a stern warning to the United States, stating that any military attack on Iran by the US or its allies would result in definitive retaliation, with the US emerging as the loser in any such conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva