Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Tehran will not engage in direct negotiations with the United States over its nuclear or missile programs, warning that the Islamic Republic will never abandon its uranium enrichment capabilities or dismantle its missile arsenal.

Speaking to Qatar’s Al Jazeera network, Araghchi said Iran remains open to indirect discussions but dismissed Washington’s current demands as “unacceptable and impossible.”

“We will never negotiate our missile program, and no rational actor would disarm,” Araghchi said. “We cannot stop uranium enrichment, and what cannot be achieved by war cannot be achieved through politics. We have no desire for direct talks with Washington, but can reach an agreement for indirect negotiations.”

Araghchi said Tehran is willing to negotiate “to remove concerns about our nuclear program” and reiterated that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful. But he accused the United States of undermining diplomacy by imposing conditions that violate Iran’s sovereign rights.

“Reaching a fair agreement is possible,” he said, “but Washington has proposed unacceptable and impossible conditions.”

His remarks appear to shut the door on hopes for renewed direct diplomacy between Tehran and Washington, which have remained at odds over the scope of Iran’s nuclear work and ballistic missile development.

Araghchi also referenced the coordinated attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June, insisting the damage did not cripple the country’s nuclear infrastructure.

“Nuclear materials remained under the rubble of the attacked nuclear facilities and were not transferred elsewhere,” he said. “The technology exists, despite the losses.”

The comments come as Western intelligence officials warn that Iran has restored much of its uranium enrichment capacity to pre-attack levels, raising concerns about potential escalation if diplomacy continues to stall.

Araghchi also issued a pointed warning to Jerusalem, saying Iran “is prepared for all possibilities and expects any aggressive behavior from Israel.” His statement comes amid heightened regional tension following reports of new Israeli intelligence activity near Iran’s western border.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)