Iranian foreign minister calls US vice president's letter a positive step but rules out meeting
Iran's foreign minister said JD Vance's letter to Tehran is a constructive gesture, but Iran sees no need for a direct meeting and stresses its conditions for any talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described US Vice President JD Vance's recent letter to Tehran as a "positive step" toward resuming dialogue, telling Al Jazeera that high-level meetings had been held to discuss it. He said Tehran has received the letter but has not yet issued a formal response.
"The American side’s attempt to open the door to dialogue and understanding more broadly is a positive step," Araghchi said.
Araghchi added that Iran does not plan to meet US officials, dismissing media reports of a possible meeting as speculation. He emphasized that Iran's conditions must be met before any direct or indirect talks can take place.
"We see no need to meet with the Americans at present. Our conditions are clear, and mediators are continuing their consultations regarding them," he said.
The minister warned that using the letter to create discord would be a mistake for the United States and noted that Iran is prepared for any scenario, including the possibility of conflict, after upgrading its weaponry and testing new arms.
On the nuclear issue, Araghchi said Tehran is in the "second phase" of reviewing proposals from Qatari and Pakistani mediators. He outlined Iran's demands, which include lifting sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum, reducing US forces in the region, restoring oil waivers, and releasing frozen Iranian funds held abroad. He also linked the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to the resumption of negotiations with Washington.
"Reopening the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with our conditions paves the way for the resumption of negotiations with Washington regarding outstanding issues," he said.