Iran has rejected direct negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program amid heightened military deployments and rising regional tension.
(Tehran) – Iran has officially ruled out the possibility of holding direct talks with the United States regarding its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed recent claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran was ready for direct negotiations, calling such suggestions “nonsense.”
Speaking to AFP, Araghchi said there could be no direct engagement with a country that “constantly threatens the use of force in violation of the UN Charter” and whose officials, he said, issue conflicting messages. He reaffirmed that Iran remains open to indirect diplomatic pathways, but not face-to-face discussions with Washington.
“We remain committed to diplomacy and are open to the path of indirect negotiations,” Araghchi said. He added that Iran is prepared for all possible outcomes, whether diplomatic or otherwise, and will act to defend its national sovereignty and security without hesitation.
This response comes amid what appears to be a shift in Tehran’s foreign policy priorities. Reports indicate that Iranian leadership is focusing less on regional proxies and more on dealing directly with U.S. policy under the Trump administration. According to a source quoted by The Telegraph, internal discussions in Tehran are now centred around Trump, with little mention of previously supported regional groups like the Houthis in Yemen or Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Reported Shift in Iranian Strategic Priorities
| Previous Focus | Current Focus |
|---|---|
| Regional groups (Houthis, Hezbollah, Assad) | Direct response to U.S. actions |
| Supporting proxy allies | Countering American threats |
| Broader regional influence | Defence of national interests |
The United States has meanwhile responded to escalating tensions by dispatching an additional aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. The USS Carl Vinson is expected to arrive within two weeks to join the USS Harry S. Truman, which has already been involved in operations against Houthi targets in Yemen. According to the Pentagon, both strike groups are set to remain in the region for at least one to two months.
A U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson stated that the deployment under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is intended to stabilise the region, deter further aggression, and protect strategic maritime trade routes.
Table: U.S. Military Presence in the Region
| Vessel | Role | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| USS Carl Vinson | Carrier Strike Group | En route to Middle East |
| USS Harry S. Truman | Carrier Strike Group | Active, striking Houthi targets |
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Washington would respond decisively to any threats from Iran or its affiliated groups. President Trump also threatened new airstrikes and further sanctions if no agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear programme.
In return, Iran has warned that it may target British military bases in the region if the U.S. launches strikes on Iranian assets.
Adding to the tense atmosphere, Iran has reportedly withdrawn military advisors from Yemen amid continuing American airstrikes on the Houthi group. According to senior Iranian officials, this move is aimed at preventing direct confrontation with the U.S. in the event of Iranian casualties.
Iranian sources also indicated that the influence of the Houthis could collapse within weeks or even days, making continued support unsustainable. Tehran believes that the regional alliance — once structured around Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — no longer functions effectively, and sees little strategic value in maintaining isolated ties.