MarsLink News
Fast, Reliable, and Uncensored News Coverage
Iran says it did not seek negotiations with U.S., rejects talks under threats
MLN -28 JAN 2026 Iran’s foreign minister said Wednesday that Tehran has not requested negotiations with the United States and has had no recent contact with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, rejecting suggestions by President Donald Trump that talks could be imminent.
“There was no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Iranian state media.
Araqchi’s remarks came a day after Trump said another U.S. “armada” was moving toward Iran and expressed hope that Tehran would agree to a deal with Washington. The United States has deployed additional military assets to the Persian Gulf following widespread protests in Iran that were met with the country’s deadliest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Araqchi said intermediaries were engaged with Tehran but stressed that Iran’s position remained unchanged.
“Our stance is clear, negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands,” he said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also addressed tensions with Washington in a phone call Tuesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian said Tehran welcomes any process conducted within the framework of international law that helps prevent war.
U.S. officials have not publicly responded to Araqchi’s comments. The White House has said Trump remains open to diplomacy but insists Iran must curb activities Washington views as destabilizing to the region.
