Iran confirms contacts with US but rules out negotiations amid war

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says communication channels with the United States remain open, but insists they fall short of actual negotiations as the war continues.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi confirmed that messages have been exchanged both directly and through regional intermediaries. At the same time, he drew a clear line between contact and diplomacy.

“I receive messages from [US special envoy Steve] Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,” he said.

“There is no truth to the claim of negotiations with any party in Iran. All messages are conveyed through the Foreign Ministry or received by it, and there are communications between security agencies,” he added.

The distinction reflects a broader breakdown in trust between the two sides. Araghchi pointed to past experience, referencing the 2015 nuclear deal, which the US later exited.

“We do not have any faith that negotiations with the US will yield any results. The trust level is at zero”, he said, adding: “We don’t see honesty.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed that position, saying Washington does not act in good faith and calling for guarantees to prevent further attacks if the conflict is to end.

On the US side, messaging remains mixed. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is still open to a deal but signalled that military pressure will continue in parallel, saying the US is prepared to keep “negotiating with bombs”.

The gap between those approaches is also visible in how each side frames control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route. Araghchi described its use as a strategic wartime tool.

“Only for the ships of those who are at war with us, this strait is closed. That is normal during war – we cannot let our enemies use our territorial waters for commerce,” he said.

At the same time, he suggested the situation is fluid, noting that some countries have continued coordination with Tehran and that the strait could return to being a “peaceful waterway” after the war.

Araghchi also pushed back against speculation about a possible US ground operation, framing Iran as prepared rather than deterred.

“We are waiting for them,” he said, adding: “I don’t think they’d dare to do such a thing. There will be a lot of strength waiting for them.”

“We know very well how to defend ourselves. In a ground war, we can do it even better. We are completely ready to confront any sort of ground attack. We hope they do not make such a mistake,” he added.

Despite ongoing messaging channels, there is little sign of convergence. Iran has not responded to a reported 15-point US proposal and says it has not submitted its own terms. Its position remains focused on a full end to attacks rather than a negotiated ceasefire.