US Lacks Will for Meaningful Negotiations: Iran’s FM

 

November, 27, 2025 - 12:15Politics news

US Lacks Will for Meaningful Negotiations: Iran’s FM

 

 TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said all prospects for talks with the United States are on hold, adding that Washington has not demonstrated the commitment needed for real dialogue. In an interview with France 24, Araqchi said that no talks are underway between Tehran and Washington, adding that communication channels with US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff have existed and various intermediaries continue to pass messages. He added that Iran has made no decision to enter negotiations because “there is no will on the American side for a real and fair negotiation.” Araqchi also addressed inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities. He said inspections of non-military sites that were not targeted in recent attacks are continuing without issue. 

He stated that a new framework is required for assessing damaged facilities and that this framework “must be negotiated with the Agency.” The following is the text of the interview: 

Journalist: Thank you very much, Mr. Minister. Araqchi: Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be on your program. 

Journalist: You are here in Paris. The two French citizens, Cécile Collère and Jacques Paris, who were convicted of espionage in Iran, were released from prison on October 28 after three and a half years in detention. They are currently at the French Embassy in Tehran and awaiting permission to leave Iranian territory. In exchange, you have requested that an Iranian citizen, Mahdieh Esfandiari, who was arrested in France in February on charges of promoting terrorism and subsequently released on bail, be exchanged. In mid-September, you stated that we were very close to the final stage of this exchange. Are you here in Paris to truly finalize this prisoner swap? Araqchi: Prisoner exchanges based on national interests are a relatively common practice in international relations. It is neither surprising nor new. This exchange between us and France has been negotiated. An agreement has been reached, and yes, we are waiting for all legal and judicial procedures to be completed in both countries. I hope and believe that within the next one or two months, depending on the judicial processes, this will be concluded. I think it will come to an end and the exchange will take place. Yes, the exchange will happen. Mahdieh Esfandiari’s court hearing is scheduled, as normal, for mid-January in France. Journalist: What is the status of Jacques Paris and Cécile Collère? When will the judicial procedures concerning them be completed? Araqchi: Their trials have already been held and verdicts issued, but as I told you, under Iranian law – and the laws of many other countries – prisoners can be exchanged on the basis of national interests. The exchange process is decided within the framework of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and everything is ready. We are waiting for the judicial procedures in France to conclude. Therefore, by mid-January at the latest, this exchange will take place. I hope so. Everything depends on the decision of the French court.

 

Journalist: Do you have formal agreement from the French government that the court’s decision will go in that direction? 

Araqchi: In prisoner exchanges between countries, there are always two sides. A political decision is required from the authorities, and a judicial decision from the judicial authorities – two completely independent powers. Of course, there must be some coordination. On the Iranian side, that coordination has already taken place. Now we are waiting for the French side. Journalist: You are also here to discuss another topic: the nuclear issue. Negotiations on this matter, whether with the United States or Europe, have stalled. US President Donald Trump regularly says he hopes to negotiate with Iran and that he too is ready. Are there currently any negotiations with the United States? Before the June war, you were negotiating with his special envoy Steve Witkoff. Are you now in contact with him or other members of the US administration to resume those talks? Araqchi: Look, at the moment there are no negotiations, but channels of dialogue between myself and Mr. Witkoff have existed. Various intermediaries also convey messages. However, at present we have no decision to negotiate. Why? Because on the American side there is simply no will for a real and fair negotiation. We are ready to negotiate; we have always been ready. In 2015 we negotiated and reached the nuclear deal. In 2025 we were also negotiating when the United States and Israel attacked us. We are always ready for genuine, serious negotiations. Negotiation means dialogue, not dictation. Whenever the US administration declares that it is willing to set aside its coercive demands and is ready for a real, serious dialogue aimed at mutual interests and a win-win outcome, we will never say no. But at the moment we do not see such readiness from the American side. Journalist: Can you confirm that in recent weeks you have had contact with Steve Witkoff or Marco Rubio – that discussions continue even if there are no negotiations? Araqchi: No, it has been some time since we had any contact or exchange of messages. Because, as I said, we have concluded that the American side lacks genuine willingness to negotiate. As soon as that willingness emerges, we can immediately reactivate the channels. But for now we are in no hurry; we are waiting. We will wait until the Americans are ready for a real negotiation rather than just making exaggerated demands. 

Journalist: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently sent a letter to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in which, it is said, he expressed openness to resolving the nuclear dispute through diplomacy. The Saudi Crown Prince stated that he would do everything possible to achieve an agreement between the United States and Iran. Given that Saudi Arabia – with which you have sometimes had very difficult relations – is now one of the intermediaries between Washington and Tehran? 

Araqchi: A few points. First, the letter our president sent to His Highness Mr. bin Salman had nothing to do with the nuclear issue. It concerned the Hajj pilgrimage and expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s excellent hosting of Iranian pilgrims (earlier this) year and preparations for future pilgrimages. On the nuclear issue, we have complete trust in Saudi Arabia. For years our relations have been improving, and trust between the two countries grows every day. Iran and Saudi Arabia have a very good understanding regarding regional peace and stability. Cooperation among regional countries, especially Iran and Saudi Arabia as the two major powers, plays a key role in regional stability. But regarding the nuclear issue, our problem is not the absence of intermediaries; the problem is the American approach and behavior. As long as that behavior does not change, how can there be negotiations? This has nothing to do with intermediaries. Many countries in the region – friendly countries – have tried to play the role of mediator, and we remain in contact with all of them and are grateful to them, but once again: the problem lies elsewhere. Journalist: Another issue is the International Atomic Energy Agency. Last week the Board of Governors passed a resolution calling on Iran to cooperate fully and promptly, including by declaring its stocks of enriched uranium and granting access to its facilities. Why do you reject this? Araqchi: The reason is clear. The Board of Governors is a political body, unlike the IAEA itself, which is a technical agency. This resolution was issued without taking into account the existing realities – even ignoring the fact that our peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked. The ground realities were disregarded; the resolution was passed as if no war and no aggression by Israel and the United States against us had occurred. That is a mistake. We have previously demonstrated our good faith in cooperating with the Agency, including in Cairo with the constructive role played by our Egyptian friends. Mr. Grossi came to Cairo, and we reached an agreement with the Agency known as the “Cairo Agreement.” A cooperation framework was defined. Mr. Grossi and the Agency itself accepted that the new ground realities are different and that cooperation must proceed on the basis of these new conditions. I asked Mr. Grossi: does the Agency have any protocol for inspecting peaceful nuclear facilities that have been bombed? He said no, simply because such a case has never happened before. So we agreed to establish new modalities – that was the Cairo Agreement. Approaching these facilities is currently dangerous: there is the risk of another American attack, the risk of unexploded ordnance, the risk of radioactive or chemical contamination. It is not easy to approach sites that have been bombed. A new framework and new protocols are therefore needed, and the Agency agrees with this reality. Yet this was not taken into account in the Board of Governors’ resolution. 

Journalist: Will you allow the inspectors to return? 

Araqchi: Inspections of civilian facilities that were not attacked continue without any problem. But regarding the damaged facilities, as I said, a new framework must be established, and this has to be negotiated with the Agency. I hope the member states of the Board of Governors do not take erroneous decisions that would make this process more difficult. 

Journalist: In your view, is Israel preparing new strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities? Do you still fear it, or do you think further attacks are now ruled out? 

Araqchi: The Israeli regime has attacked seven countries in the past two years. So the possibility of a new attack or a new war exists. But if they attack Iran again, will they achieve victory? If you have already tried something and failed, logic says you should not repeat it. The reality is that in the previous attack our air-defense system did not perform well, but neither did the Israeli system. Our missiles succeeded in hitting their targets with precision, especially in the final days of the war when our missiles struck with far greater power and accuracy. The Americans and Israelis who on the first day demanded Iran’s unconditional surrender were themselves seeking a ceasefire by the end. In the 12-day war we clearly demonstrated our defensive capability. Frankly, I do not think they want to repeat that failure. 

Journalist: Nevertheless, it is said that Iran has been weakened by events in Lebanon and Syria.

Araqchi: Regarding Lebanon, we have never interfered in Lebanon’s internal affairs. It is the Lebanese army and Hezbollah that make their own decisions. Lebanese officials – the president, the prime minister – have, as far as I have seen in the news, condemned the attack and stated that they will use all means to defend Lebanese citizens. The idea that Iran has been weakened by events in Lebanon does not correspond to reality. It was precisely this kind of misperception that encouraged Israel to attack us – and what they saw was a powerful Iran. Journalist: In Syria, the new president Ahmed al-Sharaa was received in Washington on a historic visit. He wants to join the anti-ISIS (Daesh) coalition despite his own past. Since taking power he has expelled what he calls “Iranian militias” and has not condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran. Do you see him as a threat to Iran or even an enemy of Iran? Araqchi: We do not interfere in Syria’s internal affairs. I believe Syria today faces numerous problems. This situation threatens regional peace and stability. What we want is a united Syria with a single authority and stability. Otherwise the entire region will be endangered. What we want is an end to Israel’s occupation of Syria. Unfortunately, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Israel has proceeded to occupy Syria. The areas it has occupied in Syria far exceed the Gaza Strip. Today Syria is under Israeli occupation. Israel occupies Gaza, Palestine, and Syria. The real danger is Israel, which through its actions has destabilized the region. With regard to Syria, we are merely observers. What we want is Syrian unity and territorial integrity. Our dearest hope is that Syria will once again become a center of stability rather than crisis.   

“This article was first published in Tasnim News Agency