Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks as it plays down strike damage
Iran’s foreign minister rejects ‘speculation’ of talks, despite US president’s claim of discussions ‘next week’
Iran has denied that it was set to resume nuclear talks with the United States after the end of a 12-day war with Israel, and accused Washington of exaggerating the impact of US strikes.
The most serious conflict yet between Israel and Iran derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, yet President Donald Trump said Washington would hold discussions with Tehran next week, with his special envoy Steve Witkoff expressing hope “for a comprehensive peace agreement”.
But Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was “speculation” that Tehran would come to the table and said it “should not be taken seriously”.
“I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations,” he said on state television late on Thursday. “No plan has been set yet to start negotiations.”
Araghchi’s denial came as Iranian lawmakers passed a “binding” bill suspending cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of exaggerating the impact of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
In a televised speech – his first appearance since a ceasefire in the war with Israel – Khamenei hailed what he described as Iran’s “victory” over Israel, vowed never to yield to US pressure and insisted Washington had been dealt a humiliating “slap”.