Iran Rejects Ceasefire, Signals Openness To Shipping Talks In CBS Interview
Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran has not sought a ceasefire and is not currently pursuing negotiations with the United States, signaling a hardened stance as the conflict enters its third week.
In an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation, Abbas Araghchi said Iran would continue what he described as “self-defense” operations for as long as necessary.
“We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran sees no reason to return to talks after recent U.S. military action.
IRAN RULES OUT IMMEDIATE TALKS
Araghchi framed the conflict as a “war of choice” initiated by the United States under Donald Trump.
He said previous diplomatic engagement had failed to prevent escalation, arguing that negotiations held prior to the strikes did not deter Washington from launching attacks.
“There is no good experience talking with Americans,” he said, suggesting that renewed talks would lack credibility under current conditions.
The foreign minister also rejected the idea that Iran’s government is under existential threat, describing the country as “stable and strong enough” to sustain prolonged confrontation.
DISPUTE OVER TARGETING IN THE REGION
Araghchi denied accusations that Iran is striking civilian areas in neighboring countries.
He said Iranian operations are focused exclusively on U.S. military assets and installations, including bases and infrastructure used to launch attacks against Iran.
According to his account, regional strikes are a response to U.S. forces operating from allied territories, including Gulf states.
He cited incidents involving U.S. military activity in countries such as Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, arguing that Iran cannot ignore attacks launched from neighboring soil.
HORMUZ PASSAGE REMAINS NEGOTIABLE
Despite the hardline stance, Iran signaled limited flexibility regarding maritime security.
Araghchi said Tehran is open to discussions with countries seeking safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
He did not name specific countries but confirmed that multiple governments have approached Iran on the issue.
Iran has already allowed some vessels to pass under what he described as secure conditions, suggesting that the waterway is not fully closed but operating under heightened risk.
Decisions on access, he said, ultimately rest with Iran’s military authorities.
NUCLEAR MATERIAL UNDER RUBBLE
The interview also addressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear stockpile.
Araghchi acknowledged that enriched uranium previously reported by international monitors remains buried under debris following strikes on nuclear facilities.
He said any future recovery of that material would take place under supervision from international agencies, though Iran currently has no plans to retrieve it.
Before the escalation, Iran had proposed diluting its higher-enriched uranium as part of negotiations with U.S. intermediaries, a move Araghchi described as a significant concession.
“At the moment, nothing is on the table,” he said, leaving open the possibility of future negotiations without committing to them.
DETAINEES’ SAFETY TIED TO CONFLICT CONDITIONS
When asked directly about Americans detained in Iran, Araghchi gave a conditional response that has drawn attention.
Reporter: Are American prisoners safe in Iran?
Araghchi replied: “If the U.S. and Israel don’t bomb our prisons… they’re safe.”
The comment suggests that the safety of detainees is linked to the broader security situation as military strikes continue, raising concern among families and human rights observers.
STALEMATE DEEPENS
The interview underscores a widening gap between Washington and Tehran, with neither side signaling readiness to de-escalate.
Iran’s position reflects a strategy of continued resistance combined with selective diplomatic engagement, particularly on issues like maritime security.
For now, the prospect of negotiations remains distant, as both sides continue to frame the conflict in fundamentally different terms.
