Tue Jul 08 15:00:34 UTC 2025: **Iran Denies Seeking Talks with US After Trump Claims Negotiations Imminent**

**TEHRAN, IRAN** – Despite claims by US President Donald Trump and his Middle East envoy that negotiations were imminent, Iran has denied requesting talks with the United States regarding its nuclear program. The denial follows comments from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who stated Iran was open to dialogue under the right conditions, sparking both criticism and support within Iran.

“No request for a meeting has been made on our side to the American side,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, refuting Trump’s assertion that Iran was “actively seeking negotiations” after the recent 12-day war with Israel, which saw US involvement.

Trump, speaking at a White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated, “We have scheduled Iran talks. They want to talk. They want to work something out. They are very different now than they were two weeks ago.” Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, even suggested the meeting could happen within a week.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while acknowledging Iran’s interest in diplomacy, expressed skepticism in an opinion piece, citing doubts about further dialogue. The backdrop to these conflicting statements includes a recent military conflict where Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iranian military, nuclear, and residential sites, resulting in significant casualties. The US also bombed Iranian nuclear sites just days before planned talks on reviving the nuclear deal, further complicating the situation. A subsequent ceasefire was brokered by Trump.

The proposed negotiations aim to replace the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump withdrew from during his first term. Trump also floated the possibility of lifting sanctions on Iran, but dropped his efforts after Iran claimed victory in the Iran-Israel war.

Pezeshkian’s openness to talks was met with mixed reactions in Iran. Hardline newspapers criticized him for being “too soft,” while reformist outlets praised his “positive approach.” Critics accuse the US of using previous negotiations to buy time and prepare for attacks, further eroding trust.

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