Iran Ready for Diplomacy If US Drops “Excessive Demands,” Says Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the Islamic Republic remains open to diplomatic engagement with the United States, provided Washington abandons its “excessive demands” and stops using threatening rhetoric against Tehran.

The remarks were made during a series of phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, where regional developments and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions were discussed.

Araghchi briefed his counterparts on Iran’s recent initiatives aimed at ending what he described as a war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime, while also seeking to establish lasting peace in the region. He emphasized that ongoing instability in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is largely driven by US-Israeli actions.

He also expressed appreciation for the constructive diplomatic efforts of several regional countries that have worked to prevent further escalation and support peaceful solutions.

The foreign minister stressed, “The Islamic Republic of Iran did not initiate this imposed war, and to the extent that it is ready to pursue the diplomatic process in the event of a change in the excessive approach, threatening rhetoric, and provocative actions of the American side, the Iranian armed forces are also fully alert and ready to comprehensively and decisively defend the Iranian nation against any threat or evil,”

Araghchi further explained that Iran recently entered a new round of negotiations through mediation by Pakistan, describing the effort as based on goodwill and responsibility to end the conflict. However, he also noted deep mistrust toward the United States due to what he called repeated violations of commitments.

Regional foreign ministers reportedly reaffirmed their support for diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes, expressing willingness to assist in efforts to de-escalate tensions.

The broader context of the talks includes renewed airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel in late February, which Tehran says followed earlier unprovoked attacks. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli-occupied territories and US positions in the region.

Earlier ceasefire arrangements were reached in April, though tensions have continued amid mutual accusations and ongoing strategic disputes. Iran has also recently submitted a new proposal for negotiations through Pakistani mediation, signaling continued diplomatic engagement despite heightened regional instability.