Iran has firmly ruled out resuming nuclear negotiations with the United States following recent American airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, accusing Washington of overstating the impact of the attacks.
In a televised statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed speculation about potential diplomatic engagement. “I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement, or conversation has been made to start new negotiations,” he said. “No plan has been set yet to start negotiations.”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions after what officials are calling the most serious escalation between Israel and Iran to date. The conflict disrupted any momentum toward renewed diplomacy. Despite this, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that discussions with Tehran were scheduled for next week, with his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressing optimism for a “comprehensive peace agreement.”
Araghchi, however, brushed off such claims as “speculation that should not be taken seriously.”
His comments coincided with the Iranian parliament passing a binding law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of deliberately inflating the success of the strikes.
In his first public appearance since a ceasefire with Israel, Khamenei declared Iran the victor in the conflict. “The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways,” he said. “It turned out that he needed this exaggeration.”
Khamenei downplayed U.S. claims that the strikes had severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities, stating, “The attacks did nothing significant.” Still, Foreign Minister Araghchi acknowledged that the damage was “serious” and said a full assessment was underway.
Trump, posting on his Truth Social platform, asserted that key nuclear sites—including the underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility—were “obliterated” by U.S. B-2 bombers. He rejected speculation that Iran had removed enriched uranium before the raid, stating, “Nothing was taken out… too dangerous, and very heavy and hard to move.”
He also dismissed reports of satellite images showing trucks at the site, claiming they were simply attempts to shield the facility with concrete.
Khamenei refuted those assertions, declaring, “The Islamic Republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America.”
Both nations have since claimed victory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the operation as a “historic win,” while Khamenei asserted that Iran’s missile retaliation had pushed Israel to the brink of collapse.
