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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready for nuclear negotiations with the United States but warned that talks cannot begin as long as military threats continue.
Araghchi made the remarks at a joint press conference in Istanbul following talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, saying Iran has previously conveyed its readiness for negotiations but will not engage under pressure.
“Iran is ready for negotiations based on mutual interests, respect and trust,” Araghchi said. “However, negotiations cannot start with threats. First, those threats must be set aside.”
Thanking Türkiye for its hospitality, Araghchi said discussions with Fidan covered bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments. He described Iran-Türkiye relations as consistently friendly and brotherly.
Araghchi expressed gratitude to Turkish officials for their support during Israeli attacks and recent terrorist incidents attributed to external actors, saying Türkiye had stood by Iran during critical moments.
He added that Iran and Türkiye share similar views on regional stability and support initiatives aimed at countering Israel’s actions in the region.
Araghchi accused Israel of attempting to expand war and pursue regional expansionism with backing from the United States and certain European countries, urging regional states to remain cautious.
He said Iran opposes all actions that threaten regional peace and stability and supports efforts that prevent what he described as Israeli plans to destabilize the Middle East.
Addressing possible U.S. military action, Araghchi said Washington had failed to achieve its objectives through military attacks in June, describing those efforts as a defeat.
He warned that any new attack would be met with a stronger response, saying Iran is now more militarily prepared than during the June conflict.
“If an attack occurs, we will respond very strongly,” Araghchi said, adding that direct U.S. involvement could expand the conflict beyond bilateral limits and drag the region into wider war.
Araghchi said any future negotiations would focus solely on Iran’s nuclear program and would not include Iran’s missile capabilities or defense systems.
“No country negotiates its defense,” he said, stressing that Iran would continue to strengthen its defensive capacity.
Araghchi said talks with Fidan also addressed Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. He called for preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and ending Israeli occupation.
He said Iran opposes any actions violating Iraq’s sovereignty and stressed the need for inclusive national dialogue in Lebanon, adding that Tehran respects outcomes reached through internal consensus.
Araghchi praised Türkiye’s efforts to stop what he described as genocide in Gaza and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“Türkiye has made great efforts to stop the genocide in Gaza,” he said, thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Fidan for what he called their constructive approach.
He added that Iran supports Türkiye’s active role in promoting regional peace and stability and said Tehran remains in close consultation with Ankara.
“Minister Fidan and I spoke almost every day last week,” Araghchi said, noting that Türkiye remains a priority neighbor whose views are highly valued by Iran.
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