Tehran: Iran has swapped messages with the United States through third parties in recent days but insists no negotiations have taken place since US-Israeli strikes hit the country late last month, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said.
In a Wednesday interview on state-run IRIB TV, Araghchi clarified: "Since a few days ago, the American side has started sending different messages through different intermediaries. When messages are relayed to us through friendly countries and we, in response, declare our positions or issue the necessary warnings, it is called neither negotiation nor dialogue. There has merely been an exchange of messages through our friends, and we have repeated our principled positions."
He revealed that Iran warned Washington against targeting its infrastructure, prompting the US to back off a 48-hour threat to strike power plants.
Iran seeks no war—"We did not begin this war and want an end to it, but not through a ceasefire that repeats the vicious cycle of talks, conflict, and truce," Araghchi stressed. Tehran demands an end "on our own terms," prioritizing resistance and defense over talks.
On the Strait of Hormuz—shared territorial waters with Oman—Iran is exploring "new arrangements for safe passage."
The comments counter US President Donald Trump's claim that Tehran is negotiating for a deal. The conflict erupted February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on Tehran and other cities, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, top commanders, and civilians. Iran hit back with missile and drone barrages on Israeli and US targets, while clamping down on the strait to block affiliated vessels.
(Inputs from IANS)