"We see no reason to engage in dialogue with the US, as they decided to attack us while both sides were negotiating. We have had no good experience talking to the US," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an interview published today by CBS.

Foreign Minister Araghchi made the statement a day after US President Donald Trump said Iran wanted to reach a ceasefire agreement. The US leader stated Washington was not ready for a truce with Tehran because "the current terms are not good enough" but did not disclose details.

"We have never requested a ceasefire or negotiations," Araghchi said.

Foreign Minister Araghchi speaks during his visit to Lebanon on 9/1. Photo: *Reuters*

The Iranian official added that the country was ready to engage in dialogue with nations wishing to negotiate the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had previously declared control over this vital shipping lane, stating that all "enemy" vessels, including those of the US, Israel, and their allies, would not be permitted to pass.

"I cannot name specific countries, but some nations seeking safe passage for their vessels have approached us," he said.

Foreign Minister Araghchi also affirmed that Iran is currently "stable and strong enough," adding that Tehran is merely "defending its people" in the conflict.

In an interview published on the same day with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news agency, Foreign Minister Araghchi declared that hostilities would only cease when Iran was "certain that they would not recur and compensation would be paid."

"We experienced that last year, when Israel and the US attacked in succession," he said, referring to the 12-day conflict in june 2025.

He also sent a strong message to Arab neighboring countries, stating that Tehran possessed "sufficient evidence" that US military bases in these nations were being used to attack Iran.

During a phone call with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, Foreign Minister Araghchi urged countries to "refrain from any actions that could escalate and spread the conflict." The warning came after President Trump called on countries to send warships to protect oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Attacked locations in the Middle East. Click on the image for details

The UK Ministry of Defense made no specific commitments, only stating that it was discussing maritime security in the region with allies and partners. UK Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the current plan was to de-escalate the conflict and that there were "various ways" to maintain maritime transport operations.

South Korea stated it was closely monitoring President Trump's statements on social media. Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief for Japan's ruling LDP party, stated that the idea of deploying naval vessels to the Middle East would face "major hurdles."

The Middle East has been embroiled in conflict since the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on 28/2. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and UAVs at Israeli territory, US bases in the Middle East, and critical energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries.

These attacks, along with the crippling of the Strait of Hormuz, caused global energy prices to soar, impacting the world economy.

By Pham Giang (AFP, CBS)