Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of Iran, declared that Tehran refused to abandon uranium enrichment despite US demands. He stated, “Why do we insist so much on enrichment and refuse to give it up, even if a war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to dictate our behaviour.”
Araghchi emphasized that Iran paid a heavy price for its peaceful nuclear activities. However he affirmed that the program sought no weapons.
Dismissal of US Military Presence
Araghchi dismissed US military deployments as ineffective. He said, “Their military deployment in the region does not scare us,” referring to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.
US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited the carrier to observe operations. Meanwhile Araghchi expressed little trust in Washington and questioned its seriousness about talks.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
Negotiations reopened in Oman, marking the first since the Israel-Iran conflict in June 2025. President Donald Trump described the discussions as “very good.”
Additionally, Iran sought sanctions relief in exchange for confidence building measures. Araghchi noted that Tehran consulted China and Russia on next steps.
Regional Support and US Threats
Regional states rejected using their territory against Iran. Jeyhun Bayramov, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, assured that his country barred such actions. Anwar Gargash, a UAE diplomatic adviser, echoed this position.
Moreover Trump issued ultimatums, threatening military strikes if Iran failed to end its nuclear program, missile production, and proxy support. Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, urged the US to halt provocative actions for genuine diplomacy.
