Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly discouraged any rapid return to negotiations between Tehran and Washington, insisting that Tehran first receive guarantees that its territory won’t be struck again before discussing resumed.
Araghchi said during a televised interview on CBS Evening News: “I don’t believe negotiations will resume as quickly,” responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that nuclear talks might resume within days (Sources: AAPNews.com; AryNewsTV +10 and TimesofIndia/TimesOfIndia for details).
He made it clear that Iran would only reenter diplomatic sessions “during negotiations” once clear assurances are in place against further military attacks.
Lower-level diplomacy has resumed between Egypt and Saudi Arabia; both parties have engaged in discussions mediated by Oman over the past three months, beginning with high-level meetings held mid-April in Muscat and then in Riyadh and Rome to reach temporary interim agreements, along with several rounds at other timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Agenzianova.com and Arynews TV that took place from May to July respectively (sources). These efforts culminated with discussions at summit level to reach temporary interim deals; these high-level meetings began mid April in Muscat and subsequent rounds were held regularly until late May in Riyadh where initial discussions had taken place (some mediation by Oman). High level meetings began mid April in Muscat with additional rounds held through June with additional rounds in Riyadh and Rome as temporary interim arrangements were discussed for possible deal making. For this article please go directly here: en.wikipedia.org on 17 October 2013 onwards).
Talks between Israel and Palestine made progress through May, with U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff signaling “progress”. At that point in time, Witkoff reported to Newarab.com., En.wikipedia.org, Reuters and newarab.com all showing movement towards peace talks between both nations.
However, that fragile state was quickly dismantled in mid-June when the U.S. launched an immediate direct military strike on Iranian nuclear assets–such as Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan facilities–in an operation dubbed Midnight Hammer (https://apnews.com/8xW4nB7)
This action led to an exchange of Iranian missile strikes and further escalated tensions across the region.
Events subsequent to these incidents effectively derailed diplomatic talks between Iran, Israel, and the U.S.-Iran trilateral framework, however. A week-long ceasefire agreed upon in late June was intended to give talks another chance, yet Araghchi disproved any notion that details had been finalized and stated no commitments had been made regarding renewed engagement, with Newarab.com reporting no commitments being made either on renewed engagement by either side, ctvnews.ca offering +10 coverage or globaltimes.cn displaying +10 as well. Wsj.com will have contributed further coverage.
Araghchi also criticised President Trump’s rhetoric, and encouraged him to moderate his approach toward Ayatollah Khamenei if meaningful negotiations are to advance, according to apnews.com.
Tehran has taken an unambiguous stance: without assurances that military strikes won’t occur mid-dialogue, they won’t return to negotiations.
European and G7 foreign ministers have also called for Iran-U.S. talks to resume in order to stabilize the region and prevent nuclear escalation. Iran responded with hardline measures – suspending cooperation with IAEA inspectors until guarantees were in place, as reported by Reuter’s and Time.com respectively (+1 for both).
Iran has even passed legislation restricting engagement with Western agencies like IAEA until certain conditions have been fulfilled; these conditions include passing of legislation restricting engagement until conditions have been fulfilled, according to Reuter’s.com +2.
Regional players, including Israel, remain on high alert in light of regional retaliatory strikes by Iran and a significant U.S. military deployment around Iran as well.
Araghchi’s statement signals a shift toward cautious rhetoric despite Western diplomatic pressure, reiterating that diplomacy will never close without de-escalation and security guarantees being put in place – but negotiations must still proceed subject to de-escalation measures and guarantees from all sides involved (newarab.com/news.tv/8 arynews tv 8 and Yahoo 7/8 for examples of such assurances).
U.S. officials remain optimistic in their assessment. White House Envoy Steve Witkoff described engagement between China and Iran as promising (Reuters.com/+1
Administration sources caution that Washington is still not ready to provide formal security guarantees due to concerns it could constrain strategic freedom.
At present, Washington and Tehran remain uncertain regarding their diplomatic future. With no clear measures designed to prevent Iran from striking military action during talks, Iran appears unwilling to progress with nuclear dialogue–raising stakes while widening regional anxiety.