Iran says the channel is open, but the talks are not
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says communication with Washington is still taking place, including messages passed through US envoy Steve Witkoff and other intermediaries. But according to him, that is where the diplomatic progress ends.
In an interview with Talk to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said Iran is not negotiating with the United States, despite the continuing exchange of messages. He said the two sides do not have the trust needed for real talks, which is a fairly important detail if the goal is supposed to be diplomacy rather than a very expensive game of telephone.
Araghchi added that Iran has not received any response to US proposals and said there is no real basis for negotiations at this stage.
No trust, no response, no negotiations
The foreign minister’s remarks suggest that while Washington and Tehran are still in contact, the contact is limited to messaging rather than structured negotiations. Araghchi said the absence of trust remains the central obstacle.
He also said Iran has not answered the US proposals that have been put forward. That, in his telling, leaves the process with no foundation for meaningful talks.
Conditions, deadlines and threats
Araghchi said Iran has outlined conditions for ending the war, though he did not provide those conditions in the brief account available from the interview.
He also warned against threats and deadlines, signaling that Tehran sees pressure tactics as part of the problem rather than a route to a deal.
As tensions in the region continue to rise, Araghchi said Iran remains ready to keep defending itself and the country. That message fits neatly with the rest of his comments: communication may continue, but expectations for a breakthrough should probably stay on a very short leash.
The interview was published on 1 April 2026.
