Iran will not negotiate with the United States: Ali Larijani

Tehran, Monday, March 2, 2026: Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, firmly stated that Iran will not engage in negotiations with the United States.

Larijani’s statement on X directly contradicts claims by former US President Donald Trump, who suggested that Tehran was willing to talk. “We will not negotiate with the US,” Larijani said, accusing Trump of creating chaos in the region and turning his “America First” slogan into “Israel First.”

He criticized the US for endangering its soldiers while pursuing Israeli regional ambitions. Larijani emphasized that Iran is acting purely in self-defense, and that Iranian armed forces have not initiated any invasion.

Ongoing US-Israeli Aggression

The remarks come as US and Israeli forces continue attacks against Iran, which have resulted in the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei and several senior officials.

A temporary leadership council, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a Guardian Council member, has assumed responsibilities during this transitional period.

Trump indicated in interviews that the military campaign against Iran could last four to five weeks, citing the country’s size as a factor.

Diplomacy Attempted, Attacked

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran had pursued talks with the US twice in the past 12 months. Each time, the negotiations collapsed after Iran was attacked. The most recent round in Geneva lasted seven hours and appeared promising before being disrupted by external aggression.

Araghchi accused Washington and Tel Aviv of spreading disinformation to undermine peace efforts. He warned that Iran reserves the right to defend itself without limitation and will protect its people at all costs.

He also addressed the United Nations, urging the Security Council and Secretary-General to hold the US and Israeli regime accountable for violations of international law. Araghchi called the killing of Khamenei a “cowardly act of terrorism” and emphasized the importance of respecting state sovereignty.

Iran’s leadership continues to stress that all military measures are defensive, aimed at protecting the nation from ongoing aggression and ensuring regional security.