Iranian FM says he hasn’t requested negotiations with the US

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he has not been in contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days or requested negotiations, state media reports

US President Donald Trump said yesterday that another “armada” is floating toward Iran and that he hopes Tehran will make a deal with Washington.

The US deployed additional military assets in the Gulf following nationwide protests in Iran that led to the country’s bloodiest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“There was no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us,” Araghchi tells state media, adding that various intermediaries were “holding consultations” and were in contact with Tehran.

“Our stance is clear, negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman yesterday that Tehran welcomes any process, within the framework of international law, that prevents war.

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