Despite U.S. President Donald Trump hinting at a possible revival of nuclear negotiations with Iran, Tehran has categorically denied any such agreement. Iranian officials say recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have only deepened mistrust, making future diplomacy even more unlikely.
Following nearly two weeks of intense conflict that pushed the Middle East to the edge of wider war, Washington and Tehran are now offering starkly different narratives. While Trump suggested on June 25 that nuclear talks could resume as early as next week, Iran’s leadership rejected the claim outright, citing recent military attacks on its nuclear sites as a major obstacle.
“I want to state clearly that no agreement, meeting, or conversation has been made to start new negotiations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on state television on June 26.
U.S.-Israel Strikes Seen as Major Setback
Araghchi argued that recent U.S. and Israeli military operations have significantly undermined the chances of any diplomatic breakthrough.
“The next negotiations won’t be easier for the Americans. Lives have been lost. You can’t simply move past that and make a deal,” he warned.
Iran Holds Firm on Nuclear Position
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei echoed that sentiment, stating that Iran’s nuclear stance remains unchanged despite what he described as the use of “naked force” against a sovereign nation.
“We’ve shown that pressure, threats, and even outright military aggression will not force Iran to give up its rights,” he told IRNA, the state-run news agency.
Accusations of U.S. Bad Faith
Baghaei also accused Washington of negotiating in bad faith, claiming the U.S. had no serious intent to reach an agreement even before the latest escalation.
“All signs indicate the Americans were never sincere. The proposed talks in Oman before the Israeli attacks prove that,” he said, adding that Iran’s engagement only served to expose “the hypocrisy and lies” of its counterparts.
No Trust, No Talks
On the matter of trust, Baghaei was blunt: “We never trusted the United States. Some say recent events have eroded trust, but there was none to begin with.”
He cited the U.S.’s history of “breaking promises” as the foundation for Iran’s ongoing skepticism.
No Timeline for Talks
Despite international appeals for restraint and diplomacy, Tehran has made clear that no timeline exists for resuming nuclear negotiations. Iranian officials say any future dialogue will face far greater hurdles than in the past.