Iran says it did not request negotiations with US
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he had not been in contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days or requesting negotiations.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DUBAI – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he had not been in contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days or requesting negotiations, state media reported on Jan 28.
US President Donald Trump said on Jan 27 that another “armada” was floating towards Iran, and that he hoped Tehran would make a deal with Washington.
The US deployed additional military assets in the Gulf following nationwide protests in Iran, which 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,” Mr Araqchi told 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 take place only when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Jan 27 that Tehran welcomes any process, within the framework of international law, that prevents war. REUTERS
