Iran Says It’s “Not in a Hurry” to Resume Nuclear Talks with the US as Regional Tensions Rise
Iran’s foreign minister has made it clear that Tehran is not rushing to restart negotiations with the United States over its nuclear programme, insisting that any future dialogue must be based on “mutual respect and shared interests.”
Despite mounting economic difficulties and renewed international pressure, Iran is signaling that it will not be coerced into talks that fail to address what it considers fundamental imbalances.
Tehran Refuses to Bow to Pressure
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran remains open to indirect discussions with Washington — but only if the United States is willing to engage “from an equal position.”
“Iran is not in a hurry,” Araghchi said. “If the United States truly wants to talk, it must do so on the basis of equality and mutual respect. Otherwise, we are not interested in repeating the same mistakes of the past.”
Araghchi’s comments underscore Tehran’s frustration with what it perceives as “unrealistic and unfair” demands from Washington. According to reports, the US conditions for restarting talks include ending uranium enrichment, restricting Iran’s ballistic missile program, and curbing support for regional allies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis — terms that Iranian officials view as unacceptable.
“They Are Not in a Hurry — and Neither Are We”
When asked about the stalemate, Araghchi suggested that both sides are content to wait. “It appears they are not in a hurry,” he said. “We are not in a hurry, either.”
His remarks come as Iran faces increasing economic strain, with United Nations sanctions reimposed and European nations tightening restrictions. Yet, despite these challenges, Araghchi expressed confidence that regional developments — particularly growing discontent toward Israel — are gradually shifting the balance of power in Iran’s favor.
Turning Regional Sentiment Against Israel
Araghchi took a swipe at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of deepening instability in the Middle East.
“I sometimes tell my friends that Mr. Netanyahu is a war criminal who has committed every atrocity,” the minister said. “But he did one positive thing: he has proven to the entire region that Israel, not Iran, is the main enemy.”
His comments followed statements by Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, who openly criticized Israel’s policies for the first time at the IISS Manama Dialogue 2025 forum.
“We have long known that Israel, not Iran, is the primary source of insecurity in the region,” al-Busaidi said, calling for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to reconsider its decades-long policy of isolating Tehran. “That stance needs to change.”
Oman’s Quiet Role as Mediator
Oman has long served as a discreet intermediary between Iran and the United States, facilitating talks on nuclear, financial, and humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges.
In recent weeks, reports emerged that the administration of US President Donald Trump had sent a new message to Tehran via Oman. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that messages were received but declined to reveal their content. The White House has not officially commented on the reports.
Tehran and Washington were originally set to meet for a sixth round of talks in mid-June, but those plans collapsed after Israel launched air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The attack triggered a 12-day war, killing more than 1,000 people and causing billions of dollars in infrastructure damage.
Iran’s Nuclear Programme: Setback but Not Defeat
During the interview, Araghchi revealed that much of Iran’s highly enriched uranium was buried under the rubble following the bombings.
“Almost all of the roughly 400 kilograms of 60-percent enriched uranium is under the rubble of our bombed nuclear sites,” he said. “We will not remove them until the conditions are right. We don’t yet know how much is intact or destroyed — that will only become clear when we dig them out.”
Iran’s insistence on maintaining its nuclear capabilities remains a key sticking point in any future negotiations. While Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, Washington and its allies continue to express concerns that Iran is edging closer to weapons-grade capability.
China and Russia Back Tehran Against UN Sanctions
Despite the reimposition of UN sanctions led by European signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), both China and Russia have announced that they do not recognize the new measures.
Their stance has provided Iran with crucial diplomatic backing, strengthening Tehran’s resolve to resist Western pressure. “Our partners in Moscow and Beijing have made it clear that unilateral sanctions have no legal or moral legitimacy,” Araghchi said.
Europe’s Uncertain Position
France, the United Kingdom, and Germany — all key players in the original 2015 nuclear deal — have called for renewed dialogue with Iran but have made little progress in restarting talks. Instead, the European trio has imposed additional sanctions on Iranian entities, citing alleged drone sales to Russia and violations of nuclear commitments.
In September, the three countries also suspended bilateral air service agreements with Iran, grounding major carriers such as Iran Air. The move disrupted travel and trade, further isolating Tehran from international markets.
However, signs of a modest thaw have emerged in recent days. Iranian state television recently aired footage of an Austrian Airlines flight landing in Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport — the first commercial flight from Europe since the sanctions were reimposed.
Germany’s Lufthansa has also announced plans to resume flights to Tehran, though no specific date has been made public.
Domestic Challenges: Sanctions and Economic Strain
At home, Iran continues to struggle under the weight of sanctions that have crippled its economy. Oil exports — the country’s primary source of revenue — remain restricted, while inflation and unemployment rates have surged.
Still, Araghchi downplayed the severity of the crisis, suggesting that Iran’s economic resilience has improved through diversification and regional trade. “Sanctions have made us self-reliant,” he said. “We are now producing and exporting goods that we once imported.”
Iran has also strengthened trade ties with Russia, China, and neighboring countries, using local currencies to bypass dollar-based transactions. These measures, while limited in scope, have helped Tehran withstand some of the financial shock.
A Shifting Balance of Power in the Middle East
The foreign minister said that recent geopolitical developments have created “a new regional reality.” According to Araghchi, countries that once viewed Iran as a threat are now reconsidering their alliances in light of Israel’s ongoing military operations and political instability.
“Netanyahu has united the region — not against Iran, but against Israel,” he said. “This realization is growing stronger by the day.”
Analysts agree that Israel’s aggressive posture, combined with Washington’s inconsistent Middle East strategy, has opened new diplomatic opportunities for Tehran. Some experts believe that Iran could leverage its growing influence in the region to strengthen its hand in any future negotiations with the US.
Future Prospects: Waiting for the Right Conditions
While Tehran insists it is open to diplomacy, Araghchi made it clear that Iran will not return to the negotiating table under pressure or threat.
“Iran has always favored dialogue,” he said. “But dialogue must be based on mutual respect and recognition of our legitimate rights. We will not trade our security or sovereignty for economic relief.”
As tensions simmer and the economic strain continues, Iran appears determined to wait out Washington and its allies. By aligning with Moscow and Beijing, strengthening regional partnerships, and leveraging shifting public sentiment against Israel, Tehran hopes to emerge from isolation on its own terms.
Conclusion: A Calculated Patience
Iran’s current strategy reflects a calculated patience — one shaped by both external pressures and internal resilience. While the country faces economic hardship and diplomatic isolation, its leadership believes that the tides of regional politics are slowly turning in its favor.
For now, Iran is holding its ground, refusing to rush into negotiations that could undermine its strategic position. Whether this patience will pay off or lead to deeper confrontation with the West remains to be seen.