Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that talks to reach a final agreement between Tehran and Washington will not start if United States threats persist. Araghchi made the remarks in a post on X following a statement by President Donald Trump that he would finish the job if a deal is not made. The foreign minister wrote verbatim, “Negotiations on final deal will not commence if threats continue. Honor your signature.”
The interim pact signed in June calls on both Iran and the United States to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, according to accounts of Araghchi’s message that circulated through Reuters and other outlets. Araghchi’s post on X directly referenced that understanding as the basis for his condition on further negotiations. The foreign minister has consistently framed such diplomatic steps as requiring mutual adherence to commitments already made.
Indirect discussions between the two countries opened in February 2026 in Muscat, Oman, with Araghchi heading the Iranian side, diplomatic timelines compiled by Tehran Times and Press TV show. Several subsequent rounds have produced limited advances yet left core disputes unresolved over uranium enrichment thresholds and the scope of sanctions relief. Iranian negotiators have maintained that any comprehensive accord must fully recognize Tehran’s NPT-granted right to peaceful nuclear technology.
Araghchi reiterated in addresses covered by Tehran Times that Iran’s right to nuclear technology for civilian uses remains non-negotiable under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and national defense doctrine. He has separately cautioned that intimidation tactics will not facilitate progress in the nuclear discussions, a theme echoed in his July 7 post on X. Such statements align with positions the minister presented at an international disarmament gathering in Geneva earlier this year.
President Trump’s warning about completing the task absent an agreement surfaces against a backdrop of persistent mistrust between the parties, the Times of Israel reported in its coverage of the exchange. American officials have voiced doubts about the feasibility of a full understanding while citing unresolved verification concerns on the Iranian side. Nevertheless, both capitals have at intervals signaled that a workable arrangement could still emerge if existing interim terms are observed.
Outlets including Asharq Al-Awsat and Al Jazeera promptly relayed the substance of Araghchi’s X post after its publication on July 7. The message has focused attention on the delicate balance created by last month’s interim framework and the conditions required to move beyond it. Additional negotiating rounds are anticipated in the weeks ahead to tackle the remaining points of contention, according to participants familiar with the schedule.
ع