Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations, aside of U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 17, 2026. (Credit: Pierre Albouy/Reuters)
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was not interested in talks with the United States, pushing back on President Donald Trump's stance that Tehran wants a deal to end the war.
"We are stable and strong enough. We are only defending our people," Araghchi told CBS's "Face The Nation," in an interview aired Sunday.
"We don't see any reason why we should talk with Americans, because we were talking with them when they decided to attack us.
"There is no good experience talking with Americans."
Trump on Saturday said Iran wanted a deal, but that he was not prepared to make one on current terms, without giving further details.
"We never asked for a cease-fire, and we have never asked even for negotiation," Araghchi said.
He added that Iran was ready to talk to countries who want to negotiate for selected oil tankers to pass through the key Strait of Hormuz export route.
"I cannot mention any country in particular, but we have been approached by a number of countries who want to have a safe passage for their vessels," he said.
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