Iran open to talks with all except Israel, but rejects "excessive demands" — vice president says

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has reiterated the country's openness to dialogue with all nations—excluding Israel—while emphasizing that Tehran will not capitulate to what it sees as unreasonable foreign pressure.

Speaking at a meeting with entrepreneurs in the central province of Yazd, Aref addressed the broader issue of Iran’s foreign policy stance, particularly regarding its interactions with the United States, Tasnim reports.

“We also negotiated with the United States, but they attacked our country in the midst of the talks,” Aref said, referencing past engagements. “We favor dialogue, but we will not surrender to excessive demands. Our people also will not accept us giving in to such demands.”

Aref criticized Washington for what he described as a contradictory approach to diplomacy, highlighting what he viewed as a mismatch between US rhetoric and action.

“The US says that Iran must accept its conditions before negotiations can begin, but we do not accept such an approach to talks,” he added.

Taking further aim at the United States, Aref accused it of using military force as a tool to coerce Iran during negotiations. “They pretend to support human rights and dialogue, yet carried out military attacks during negotiations to make Iran surrender. Still, the people took to the field and proved that they will never give in.”

His remarks follow a statement last week by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who clarified that while there are currently no plans or requests for talks with the US or European nations, Iran remains open to “any fair, balanced, and rational proposal” based on mutual respect and equality.

Araghchi stressed that any such engagement must also protect “the interests of the Iranian people,” reaffirming Tehran’s position that diplomacy must not come at the cost of sovereignty or dignity.

By Vafa Guliyeva