Iran has firmly denied any plans to meet with the United States next week, contradicting earlier remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that direct talks were imminent. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Thursday in a televised interview that no such meeting is currently scheduled and that Tehran is still evaluating whether engaging with Washington serves its national interests.
Tehran Pushes Back Against U.S. Claims
This comes amid speculation about a potential diplomatic breakthrough following past rounds of indirect negotiations.
Araqchi emphasized that any future talks would depend on Iran’s strategic assessment, especially in light of the damage inflicted on its nuclear infrastructure by recent joint U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Negotiations Stalled After Attacks on Nuclear Sites
Five prior rounds of U.S.-Iran talks were abruptly interrupted, according to Araqchi, after coordinated military strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. The United States and Israel have defended these operations as preventive measures aimed at halting Iran’s alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.
A satellite image shows damage to the tunnel entrances of the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Research Center, following U.S. airstrikes amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Isfahan, Iran, June 22, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
“The damages to our nuclear sites were not little,” Araqchi noted, adding that Iran’s leadership is currently reassessing the state of its nuclear capabilities and how those developments will shape the country’s foreign policy moving forward.
Diplomatic Uncertainty Amid Regional Tensions
An Israeli man works at an impact site following Iran’s strike on Israel this Sunday, in Haifa, Israel, June 24, 2025REUTERS/ Florion Goga TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY REFILE – REMOVING “after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
The rejection of an imminent meeting underscores the fragile state of diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S., particularly in the aftermath of escalating military and cyber confrontations surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Araqchi’s comments signal that Iran will not be rushed into talks without concrete assurances and a shift in what it sees as aggressive posturing from the U.S. and its allies.
