- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied recent contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and stated Tehran made no request for negotiations, directly contradicting President Trump's claim that Iran seeks a deal.
- Araghchi emphasized that talks cannot succeed under US military threats, excessive demands, or intimidation, insisting on equal footing without menaces.
- The denial follows US naval deployments to the Gulf amid Iran's ongoing anti-government protests and crackdown, heightening regional war fears.
- Intermediaries from various countries remain in touch with Iran, sharing concerns over destabilization, while President Masoud Pezeshkian signaled openness to war-preventing processes under international law.
- This stance aligns with Iran's history of rejecting direct US talks, as seen in prior responses to Trump initiatives on nuclear issues.
Tehran (Washington Insider Megazine) January 28, 2026 - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran did not request negotiations with the United States, rejecting claims made by President Donald Trump during a White House press conference on 27 January 2026. The denial follows Trump's assertion that Iran had sent a secret emissary seeking talks on its nuclear programme and regional security issues, which Iranian officials described as "baseless propaganda."
Araghchi emphasised Tehran's commitment to its "resistance economy" and strategic partnership with Russia and China, while calling U.S. pressure tactics a sign of weakness. The exchange occurs against a backdrop of heightened military posturing in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing U.S. sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports and ballistic missile programme.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks during a televised interview on Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB on 28 January 2026, hours after President Trump’s comments sparked widespread coverage across international media outlets. Araghchi accused the U.S. of fabricating the story to justify escalated sanctions and military deployments in the Persian Gulf region.
"There has been no request for negotiations, direct or indirect,"
Araghchi said.
"Iran does not beg for talks; we dictate terms from a position of strength."
Trump's Claims and White House Position
President Trump stated during a 27 January 2026 press conference alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran had approached the U.S. through intermediaries in Oman, seeking immediate discussions to avert further economic isolation. Trump described the alleged overture as a response to new U.S. sanctions announced earlier in the week, which target secondary entities trading in Iranian petroleum products.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the claim in a briefing, stating that the administration welcomed any genuine Iranian initiative but remained firm on demands for full dismantlement of Tehran's nuclear enrichment capabilities and cessation of support for regional proxies. Leavitt noted that similar backchannel communications occurred during Trump's first term, leading to the 2018 Helsinki summit proposal, though no meeting materialised.
The State Department released a statement echoing Trump's remarks, indicating readiness for "unconditional talks" but warning that Iran faced "maximum pressure" if it continued uranium enrichment beyond civilian needs.
Iranian Official Rejections and Strategic Posture
Araghchi's denial aligns with consistent messaging from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who in a 25 January 2026 speech prohibited direct negotiations with Washington under current conditions. Khamenei described U.S. overtures as "deceptive tricks" aimed at dividing Iran's leadership and public support for the nuclear programme.
Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani sent a letter to the Security Council on 28 January 2026, reiterating Tehran's rejection and accusing the U.S. of violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) through unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Iravani highlighted Iran's compliance with IAEA monitoring until recent escalations, calling for European guarantors to enforce sanctions relief.
Tehran has deepened military and economic ties with Moscow and Beijing since the U.S. JCPOA exit. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed on 28 January 2026 that Iran-Russia strategic consultations continued uninterrupted, including joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman.
Regional and International Reactions
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement welcoming potential de-escalation but urged Iran to verifiably halt missile transfers to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in remarks to the Knesset, expressed scepticism about Iranian intentions, stating that Jerusalem would respond forcefully to any nuclear breakout attempts.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for renewed diplomacy, noting that trilateral talks with Iran in Geneva last month yielded progress on confidence-building measures. Borrell's office confirmed that France, Germany, and the UK (E3) remained committed to the JCPOA framework despite U.S. reimposition of sanctions.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on 28 January 2026 that Beijing opposed unilateral sanctions and supported Iran's sovereign right to peaceful nuclear energy. Lin emphasised ongoing Chinese purchases of Iranian crude under special payment arrangements.
Nuclear Programme Developments and IAEA Reporting
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on 23 January 2026 that Iran had enriched uranium to 60 per cent purity at Fordow, sufficient for three nuclear weapons if further processed. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted restricted inspector access to Natanz since October 2025, raising verification concerns.
Iran announced expansion of its centrifuge cascade at Natanz on 26 January 2026, bringing total capacity to over 10,000 advanced IR-6 models. Araghchi defended the moves as reversible responses to U.S. "economic terrorism," pending full JCPOA sanctions relief.
U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz briefed Congress on 27 January 2026 that intelligence indicated Iran could produce weapons-grade uranium in weeks, though weaponisation would require months to years.
Military Posturing in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet reported increased Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval patrols near the Strait of Hormuz on 28 January 2026. Two U.S. destroyers, USS Stout and USS Roosevelt, conducted freedom of navigation operations through the strait overnight.
Iran seized a Greek-owned tanker flagged to the Marshall Islands on 22 January 2026, citing violations of maritime law, marking the second such incident in a month. The U.S. designated the vessel's cargo as sanctioned property, prompting IRGC threats of retaliation against American shipping.
British and French naval assets joined U.S. forces in the Combined Maritime Forces coalition, monitoring Iranian fast-boat swarms reported near Abu Musa island.
Sanctions Escalation and Economic Impact
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 15 Chinese and UAE-based firms on 26 January 2026 for facilitating $2 billion in Iranian oil sales since October 2025. Secretary Rubio announced plans to target Iran's "shadow fleet" of 300 vessels evading trackers.
Iran's Central Bank reported a 45 per cent depreciation of the rial against the dollar in Q1 2026, amid capital flight and import shortages. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public hardship in a 27 January address but blamed external pressures.
Russia agreed to supply Iran with Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 air defence systems under a 2025 defence pact, with deliveries commencing in December 2025.
Historical Context of U.S.-Iran Talks
Direct U.S.-Iran negotiations occurred during the 2003 Iraq invasion coordination and secret 2013 Oman channel leading to the JCPOA. Trump’s 2018 "maximum pressure" campaign yielded no talks, culminating in the 2020 Soleimani airstrike.
Biden administration indirect talks in Vienna stalled in 2022 over IRGC designations and Iran's insistence on delisting. Araghchi participated as lead negotiator, gaining praise from European counterparts for pragmatism.
Domestic Political Dimensions
Iranian hardliners rallied in Tehran on 28 January 2026, chanting "Death to America" and burning U.S. flags in response to Trump's remarks. Reformist outlets like Shargh newspaper questioned the government's rejection, citing economic strain.
U.S. congressional Republicans praised Trump's pressure strategy, while Democrats urged multilateral diplomacy. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair James Risch (R-Idaho) scheduled a 30 January hearing on Iran policy.