Iran‘s foreign minister said there is “no room” for negotiations with the United States so long as Israeli strikes continue.
Ahead of talks with European officials in Geneva on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations with the U.S. would not begin until Israel stopped its strikes.
“Let me make the position clear. Under the current circumstances, and as the Zionist regime’s attacks continue, we are not seeking negotiations with anyone — especially not with the United States — on this matter. It is the Americans who are seeking negotiations; they have sent messages multiple times, including very serious ones. But we have explicitly told them that as long as the aggression and attacks continue, there is simply no room for talk of dialogue or diplomacy,” Araghchi said.
“We are in a legitimate state of self-defense, and this defense cannot and will not stop. We have no discussions with the United States, which we see as a partner in these crimes,” he continued.
The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, as well as the European Union’s foreign policy chief, will meet with Araghchi in Geneva in an attempt to de-escalate the conflict.
Araghchi said Iran has “always had dialogue with the Europeans and have discussed various issues with them. Even now, if they have something to say, we are listening. We are not ashamed of defending the rights of the Iranian people, and we are not avoiding anyone.”
ISRAEL LAUNCHES MAJOR ATTACK ON IRAN OVER ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM: WHAT TO KNOW
Israel began striking Iran last Friday and said it was aiming to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In retaliation, Iran has hit Israel with missile and drone strikes, some of which have caused destruction. Iran has said its nuclear program is peaceful.
Iran has said Israeli air strikes have killed 639 people, including top military officials, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of civilians. Israel has said at least two dozen civilians have died from Iranian strikes.