Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said that no arrangement or commitment has been made to resume negotiations with the United States, amid escalating tensions following recent attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iranian territory.
In an interview with state broadcaster IRIB, Araghchi said the possibility of restarting talks remains under consideration, but any decision would be guided strictly by Iran’s national interests, Xinhua News Agency reported.
“Our decisions will be based solely on Iran’s interests,” Araghchi emphasized. “If our interests require a return to negotiations, we will consider it. But at this stage, no agreement or promise has been made, and no talks have taken place.”
Araghchi accused Washington of betraying Iran during previous efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift U.S. sanctions, further deepening mistrust between the two nations.
He also confirmed that a law suspending Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has now become legally binding, following approval by both the Iranian Parliament and the Guardian Council, the country’s top constitutional oversight body.
“The law is now obligatory and will be implemented. Our cooperation with the IAEA will take a new shape,” he said, without elaborating on what form that cooperation might take moving forward.
Addressing the aftermath of the recent conflict with Israel, Araghchi described the 12-day war as having caused “serious” damage, noting that experts from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran are currently conducting a thorough assessment. He added that the possibility of demanding reparations is high on the government’s agenda.
The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes targeting multiple locations across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities. The attacks resulted in the deaths of several senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, and came just days before Iran and the U.S. were expected to resume indirect nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman, on June 15.
In retaliation, Iran launched waves of missile and drone strikes on Israel, inflicting casualties and significant damage.
The conflict further escalated when, on Saturday, the U.S. Air Force struck three key Iranian nuclear sites. Iran responded on Monday by firing missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
The 12-day conflict concluded with a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on Tuesday, though tensions in the region remain high.
(With inputs from IANS)