By Micah Jonah, January 29, 2026
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that he had not been in recent contact with U.S. Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, that Iran had not requested negotiations with Washington, according to state media.
The statement follows comments by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, who said another “armada” was moving toward Iran and expressed hope that Tehran would engage in a deal with the United States.
“There was no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us,” Araqchi said. He added that various intermediaries were in consultations with Tehran but emphasized that “negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands.”
The remarks came amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the U.S. has deployed additional military assets following nationwide protests in Iran. These demonstrations resulted in the country’s bloodiest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman that Tehran welcomes any process within the framework of international law that could prevent war.
The situation underscores the fragile diplomatic balance in the region, with both Tehran and Washington navigating military posturing alongside calls for potential dialogue.
