Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday said no direct nuclear negotiations are taking place with the United States, but channels remain open if Washington decided to change stance.
“We are ready to negotiate and we have always been ready, the same as in 2015. In 2025 we were negotiating when America and Israel attacked us. We are still ready, but real negotiation needs to be serious,” France 24 cited Araghchi during an interview in Paris.
Asked about the mediation of Saudi Arabia between Iran and the United States, Araghchi said the problem at the moment is not intermediary and they are plenty, but the problem is Washington.
“When the American government ceases dictating and indicates they are ready for a proper agreement, then we can achieve a win-win relationship,” he added. “We are not in rush, and waiting for real negotiations, not just exaggerated requests.”
Reuters reported last week, citing two sources familiar with the exchange, that President Pezeshkian had urged the crown prince to help persuade US President Donald Trump to revive nuclear talks.
Trump said the United States was talking to Tehran, which he said "very badly” wanted a deal with Washington.
‘IAEA ignores war realities’
Araghchi criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors’ recent resolution as a ‘unilateral political decision’ that overlooks attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“The board is a political body and the IAEA a technical one. The resolution ignores the realities on the ground, as if there was no war and our civilian facilities were not attacked,” Araghchi said. “New modalities are needed for attacked sites and must be negotiated with the agency.”
‘Prisoner exchange’
Araghchi said a prisoner swap with France is imminent but currently pending some judicial processes that need to be completed.
“An exchange was negotiated between us and France involving detained French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, expected over the next one or two months,” he said.
Iran has released French prisoners Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris who had been detained since 2022 and the couple are currently residing in France embassy in Tehran.
Iran seeks the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari in France who was due to face trial in January on charges of ‘promoting acts of terrorism.’
Talks with France
While in Paris, Araghchi also met French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot for discussions on Iran’s nuclear program, detained French nationals, and regional issues, according to the French foreign ministry.
Barrot voiced “serious concern” over Iran’s nuclear activities and urged Tehran to “return without delay” to full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also raised the cases of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French citizens currently staying at the French embassy in Tehran, and called for their rapid return to France.
The French statement said the ministers also discussed regional stability, including support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, efforts to maintain the Gaza ceasefire, and reviving prospects for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.
‘Never interfered in Lebanon’
Asked if Iran wants Hezbollah to attack Israel since the group is weak which resulted in weakness of Tehran too, Araghchi said Iran is not weak and does not interfere.
“We have never interfered in their affairs. It is the Lebanese army and Hezbollah who make their own decisions.” Araghchi said. “This erroneous interpretation of Iranian decline that you mention, is what encouraged Israel to attack us.”
Iran condemned Israel's recent airstrike on a densely populated area in Beirut's Dahiyeh suburb on November 23, 2025, which killed senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai.
‘real danger’
Araghchi called for a unified Syria under central authority to prevent regional chaos, accusing Israel of exploiting Bashar al-Assad’s fall to seize more territory.
“Israel attacked and occupied parts of Gaza, Palestine, and now Syria. The real danger is Israel,” he said.
Asked about Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa’s hostility toward Tehran and openness to the US and Israel, Araghchi said: “Yes, like many other people, he is mistaken.”
