ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran is not ready for any talks unless Israel stops its air war on Iran, in response to US President Donald Trump’s call that the Islamic Republic should resort to diplomacy to abandon its nuclear program.
"We are not ready for any talks with any party while Israeli attacks continue,” Araghici told Iranian state media. "The United States wants dialogue and has sent serious messages in this regard.”
Tensions have escalated between Iran and Israel in recent days, after Israel launched a large-scale offensive early Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities across the country, killing dozens of high-profile military commanders and nuclear scientists.
Iran has responded to the strikes, firing hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israeli territories, most of which have been intercepted by Israel’s air defenses.
The escalations came days before Tehran and Washington were set to enter a sixth round of nuclear talks, mediated by Oman. The meeting was cancelled in light of the attacks.
Araghchi added that they have assured the United States that “no talks will be held while the aggression continues, and we are engaging in legitimate self-defense."
"Defending our country against aggression will not stop, and there will be no dialogue with Washington because it is a partner in the crimes,” said the top Iranian diplomat, reiterating that "we have had no contact with Washington, and we will not do so under the current circumstances.
"Washington asked us to negotiate, and we refused, but we have no problem with dialogue with other countries."
Araghchi’s comments came as the top Iranian diplomat is set to hold talks with European counterparts in Geneva on Friday, in a major diplomatic push to defuse tensions between Israel and Iran. The meeting is said to launch a two-week window for securing a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
"Our negotiations with European countries in Geneva are limited to the nuclear issue and regional issues.
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