Iran Refuses Nuclear Talks With US After Trump's 2-Week Window As Israeli Strikes Continue
US Iran Nuclear Deal: US President Donald Trump said he would decide on military action against Iran in two weeks, citing 'substantial' potential for negotiations.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the US had asked Iran to negotiate for a deal, but Tehran refused, after US President Donald Trump said he would decide on military action in two weeks.
'The Americans have asked for negotiations, and our answer is no," Araghchi said in comments published by the Entekhab news outlet. He also said Trump's language around Israeli military actions shows Washington is already involved in the Israeli strikes.
Araghchi said calls for ending the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel have already begun and will continue to grow. 'We are engaged in legitimate self-defence, and this defence will not stop," he said. The Iranian foreign minister said the country is not prepared for any talks while Israeli strikes continue.
Donald Trump's 2-Week Window
His remarks came after Donald Trump said he will decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will launch an attack on Iran, citing 'substantial" chances of negotiations to reach a nuclear deal.
At a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out Trump's message, addressing speculation about direct American involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told aides he approved attack plans but is holding off to see if Iran will give up its nuclear programme. Iran's ally, Russia, said any US military action would be an 'extremely dangerous step".
Meanwhile, European top diplomats are meeting with Araghchi in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran's nuclear programme. Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Britain and the EU are urging de-escalation, with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying the next two weeks are 'a window… to achieve a diplomatic solution".
The direct confrontation began after Israel launched an unprecedented wave of airstrikes on Iran last week, prompting a swift response from Tehran in the form of missile and drone attacks. More than 200 people, including military leaders, have been killed in Iran, while 24 casualties have been reported in Israel.
(with agency inputs)
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