Iran ready to engage with regional states to protect peace, stability: FM

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Saturday that his country is "always ready" to engage with regional states to protect peace and stability, underscoring Tehran’s willingness for dialogue amid rising tensions and renewed talk of nuclear negotiations.

Araghchi wrote on X that Tehran’s willingness for peace talks is to shield the region "from unlawful aggression."

Araghchi’s remarks come as US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran was likely to seek negotiations rather than face American military action, despite Tehran’s insistence that its missile capabilities are not negotiable.

“I can say this, they do want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that a US naval carrier group was moving toward waters near Iran. “Hopefully we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens.”

Araghchi's remarks come during his visit to Ankara where he held discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He described the talks as focused on bilateral ties and shared regional concerns.

“Always pleased to engage with President Erdoğan and FM Fidan on Iran-Turkiye bilateral relations and regional issues of common concern,” he wrote.

Araghchi reiterated Iran’s long-standing position on its nuclear program, stressing that Tehran is open to diplomacy under fair conditions.

“In our conversations, I reiterated that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and is ready to embrace a fair and equitable nuclear deal that meets the legitimate interests of our people; this includes ensuring ‘No Nuclear Weapons’ and guaranteeing the lifting of sanctions,” he said.

He also welcomed Ankara’s role in regional mediation efforts.

“Along with other brotherly neighbors, Türkiye has extended its good offices in pursuit of peace and stability in the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran is grateful for such efforts and welcomes them,” the foreign minister added.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported separately that Araghchi, speaking during a joint press conference with Fidan in Ankara on Friday, said Tehran was prepared for both negotiations and conflict but would reject talks conducted under pressure.

“Iran is ready to enter nuclear negotiations if they are conducted from an equal position, based on mutual interests and mutual respect,” Tasnim cited him as saying, adding, “If the negotiations are fair and just, Iran is ready to participate in these talks and negotiations.”

At the same time, he warned against coercion. “We will by no means accept dictation and imposition,” the Iranian top diplomat warned, emphasizing that while “Iran has no problem with negotiation,” talks “cannot take shape under the shadow of threats.”

He also ruled out any discussion of Iran’s defensive capabilities.

“Iran’s defensive capability and missiles will never be the subject of any negotiation,” he said. “The security of the Iranian people is not related to anyone else, and we will preserve and expand our defensive capabilities to whatever extent is necessary to defend the country.”