Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran will not negotiate with the United States, at least as long as Israeli strikes on Iran continue. Although the US is not involved in the strikes, Araghchi accused Washington of aiding Israel.
At the same time, according to media reports, unofficial contacts between Washington and Tehran do take place – in particular, Reuters, citing sources, wrote about Araghchi’s telephone conversations with US Presidential Special Envoy Steven Witkoff.
Iran’s foreign minister is expected to hold talks today in Geneva with the foreign ministers of three leading European countries and US and NATO partners – Britain, France and Germany. They have called for a return to talks on Iran’s nuclear programme after the exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran began. Araghchi’s plane reportedly flew to Geneva, with Tehran saying it had received assurances that Israel would not attack it.
The day before, British foreign policy chief David Lemmy met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. After the meeting, Lemmy wrote on social network X that there is now a window of opportunity – about two weeks – to reach a diplomatic solution. According to Sky News, Britain’s foreign minister will deliver the US message to Iran at the Geneva meeting.
The White House said the day before that President Donald Trump will decide whether or not the US will join strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities within two weeks. The statement noted that there is still room for negotiation. Earlier, Trump published calls for Iran’s “surrender”, insisting on its complete abandonment of its nuclear programme. Tehran’s official position remains unchanged – it is ready to confirm that it will not develop nuclear weapons, but will not give up nuclear research.