Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on October 31 that Tehran had no plans to meet U.S. officials, even though talks with Qatari and Pakistani mediators continue over conditions for resolving the crisis. The statement came as he dismissed rumors of a meeting as media speculation and said Iran would decide on direct or indirect negotiation only after Washington accepted its demands.
Araghchi said an Iranian delegation had recently travelled to Qatar for further discussions and that his aide remained to continue consultations with mediators. Iran’s key conditions center on the recognition of a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran has worked out with Oman and the closure of other routes. The country also calls for lifting sanctions imposed after the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding, a reduction in U.S. military forces in the region, the restoration of sanctions waivers for Iranian oil exports, and the release of all frozen Iranian funds, including those held in Qatar. Additionally, Iran demands an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi said mediators had presented proposals concerning Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran is reviewing as part of a “second phase.” He added that a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance had been reviewed at high‑level meetings, describing the American effort to open the door to broader dialogue and understanding as a “positive step.”
"Iran saw no need to meet with American officials at present," said Araghchi.
On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, prompting Iran to launch waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the region. A ceasefire between the parties was achieved on April 8, and on June 18 Iran and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding to end the war in the region on all fronts. Under that agreement the two sides were to hold negotiations within 60 days ending on August 17, but sufficient progress toward a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions was not made.