Iran Rules Out Talks With U.S. Until Trump’s Threats Stop

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Friday in Istanbul that Iran will not engage in direct negotiations with the United States unless President Trump stops threatening to attack it. Mr. Araghchi said talks to calm tensions between Iran and the United States had to be based on a "fair and equitable" approach and could not begin with threats.

"Just as we are ready for negotiations, we are ready for warfare," he said. He also ruled out any discussion of Iran's ballistic missiles, calling them essential to its security, and said he had no plans to meet in person with any American officials. President Trump has threatened military action aimed at forcing Iran to agree to American demands that include a halt to its nuclear program, limits on its ballistic missiles and an end to its support to allied militias in the Arab world.

Mr. Trump has said that time is running out before he strikes Iran "with great power, enthusiasm and purpose," and U.S. officials have said he is considering options for an attack. Iran has vowed to retaliate; experts suggest it could target U.S. military bases or American partners like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Few countries in the region, even those that oppose Iran's leadership, have voiced support for American strikes, worrying that instability in Iran could draw in neighboring countries and potentially ignite a regional war. Those fears have fueled urgent international diplomacy aimed at de-escalation.

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