Iran Denies Imminent US Nuclear Talks Amid Public Outrage, Sets Conditions

Iran has firmly rejected recent reports of imminent nuclear negotiations with the United States, citing widespread domestic anger and the impact of recent Israeli and U.S. military attacks as major impediments to diplomacy. Iranian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasized that any resumption of talks hinges on credible guarantees from the U.S. to prevent future aggression, particularly following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and civilian sites that caused significant casualties. Despite some indications from Tehran’s supreme national security council and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's planned travel to Oslo suggesting a quiet resumption of indirect talks, Iranian public sentiment and political leaders remain deeply skeptical and resistant. Iran accuses the U.S. of using diplomacy as a deceptive tool and demands proof of genuine commitment before engaging further. The backdrop to this tension includes a 12-day conflict involving Israeli attacks on Iran and subsequent U.S. strikes, which Tehran condemns as violations of international law and aggression. While Iran has not closed the door on diplomacy, it insists that negotiations would be meaningless without assurances that military threats will cease.