US-Israel-Iran War Live News: As fighting between the United States and Iran continues to intensify, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has offered a rare account of what he says happened behind closed doors during nuclear negotiations with Washington. Speaking in an interview on Monday, Araghchi claimed Iranian officials entered every round of talks believing they could be killed if military strikes hit at any moment.
His remarks come as the US continues its military campaign against Iran while also signalling that diplomacy remains an option.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Araghchi Describes Fear During Nuclear Negotiations
In an interview with Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Abbas Araghchi said he explained to US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff that Iranian negotiators worked under extraordinary pressure because they feared attacks during negotiations.
Recalling the conversation, Araghchi said, “I asked Witkoff, have you ever been in a meeting where at any moment you think the whole meeting might be bombed? Have you ever been on the phone while you’re talking? You might, as they say, explode or be destroyed. Have you ever, for example, while checking in on your family over the phone, thought to yourself this might be the last time?”
According to Araghchi, he made the remarks to show the environment in which Iran’s negotiating team operated while military tensions with the United States and Israel continued to rise.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Iran Says It Refused to Accept US Nuclear Demands
The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran rejected what it described as Washington’s demand for “zero enrichment” under any future nuclear agreement.
He said, “In response to the illegal and unreasonable demand for zero enrichment, we resisted and stood firm. When they saw that they couldn’t achieve what they wanted through negotiations, they started the war.”
Araghchi added, “You have to talk. You can’t threaten us, and you can’t bribe us.”
He argued that Iran refused to compromise on its nuclear programme despite growing military pressure.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Iran Claims Diplomacy Failed Before Conflict Escalated
Araghchi said the United States first approached Tehran for renewed nuclear negotiations last year, and communication had continued intermittently since then.
According to the Iranian minister, negotiations failed because both sides remained far apart on key issues. He claimed Iran’s refusal to accept US conditions eventually pushed Washington and Israel toward military action instead of diplomacy.
He also said, “They were defeated in the 12-day war,” adding that Iran was not intimidated by repeated US military threats.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: US Continues Airstrikes While Keeping Door Open for Talks
Araghchi’s comments came as the United States carried out its ninth consecutive night of military strikes against Iranian targets, targeting military infrastructure across the country.
Despite the ongoing military campaign, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that diplomatic efforts have not completely ended. Rubio said Iran still appears interested in negotiations, suggesting Washington continues to pursue both military pressure and diplomatic engagement simultaneously.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Conflict Continues Alongside Diplomatic Uncertainty
The latest exchange of statements highlights the widening gap between Washington and Tehran as military operations continue alongside occasional diplomatic contacts.
While Iran insists negotiations took place under constant security threats, US officials maintain that diplomatic channels remain available if Tehran chooses to engage. With military action continuing across the region, the prospects for renewed nuclear talks remain uncertain.
