Iran has firmly denied claims that it is set to resume nuclear talks with the United States, saying Washington’s recent statements are based on speculation and exaggeration.
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, described reports of new negotiations as “unfounded” and said no plan or agreement has been made to resume dialogue with the U.S.
“I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations,” Araghchi said in a televised statement. “No plan has been set yet.”
His statement came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that negotiations with Iran would begin next week, following the end of a deadly 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, had also expressed hope for a “comprehensive peace agreement.”
Araghchi’s denial coincided with the passage of a binding bill by Iranian lawmakers to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, indicating Iran’s hardening stance.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also rejected Trump’s claims that U.S. airstrikes had dealt a severe blow to Iran’s nuclear programme, insisting the damage was overstated.
“The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways. It turned out he needed this exaggeration,” Khamenei said in his first speech since the ceasefire with Israel.
Despite U.S. claims that key facilities like the Fordo enrichment plant were destroyed, Khamenei maintained that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains largely intact.
