Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has no plans to hold talks with US officials, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise as unfounded.
Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran had carefully examined a message sent by US Vice President JD Vance to senior Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei. The matter remains under review by the relevant authorities, according to the official Iranian news agency IRNA.
He said Iran currently sees no need for talks with Washington and that its conditions are clear, while contacts continue with Qatar and Pakistan as mediators.
A decision on whether negotiations would be direct or indirect would come after the US accepts Iran’s conditions, he added.
Araghchi nevertheless said Vance’s message, alongside US efforts to open dialogue and reach a broader understanding, could be considered a positive step.
Addressing a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Iran’s seven conditions are accepted, he said mediators were discussing a shorter timeframe.
“The Qatari side had requested that the time needed to implement our proposal be reduced to five days. At this stage, a proposal to shorten that period to two days is under discussion,” he said.
Prepared for all scenarios
Araghchi said Iran does not rule out the possibility of war and is prepared for all scenarios.
He said reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on acceptance of a new transit route designated by Iran and Oman, alongside the closure of alternative routes.
Tehran also demands that Washington reinstate the waiver concerning Iranian oil sales and release all frozen Iranian assets, including those held in Qatar.
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, previously reported that Vance had sent a message to Rezaei at President Donald Trump’s direction to revive peace talks.
Trump denied the report, saying Vance’s role was limited to helping provide medical supplies needed by Iran.
Mediation efforts continue
Araghchi’s remarks come amid efforts by Qatar and Pakistan to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with reports of progress in indirect talks in Doha.
The mediation seeks understandings on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran retaliated by targeting Israel and US assets in the region before a ceasefire agreement was reached in April.
Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in June, but implementation stalled over disagreements concerning security in the strait.
