Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says a United States effort to open dialogue with Tehran is “a positive step”, but that there are currently no plans for meetings with US officials. Speaking to Al Jazeera on Saturday, Araghchi said Iran had studied a letter sent by US Vice President JD Vance in high-level meetings, and set out Tehran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which he said would pave the way for renewed negotiations with Washington. He added that an Iranian delegation has travelled to Doha, a day after Qatari mediators were in Tehran in an apparent bid to negotiate a revival of the US-Iran ceasefire.
Araghchi said one of his aides is in Qatar to continue consultations. However, he warned: “If Washington’s goal in sending this letter is to stir up discord, it would be yet another mistake to add to its previous ones.” Araghchi played down talk of upcoming meetings between the two sides. Our conditions are clear, and mediators are continuing their consultations regarding them,” he added.
He said whether Iran would hold direct or indirect talks with the US depended on Tehran’s conditions being met. Araghchi said talks with Qatari mediators had shortened the time needed to implement Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. We have reached a proposal at this stage that reduces the implementation period to two days,” he said.
Araghchi also said his country does not rule out the possibility of an attack against Iran. Our forces are at the highest level of readiness.”
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