Iran is reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war in the Gulf but has no intention of holding talks to wind down the widening Middle East conflict, the country’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.
The comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi suggested some willingness by Tehran to negotiate an end to the war if its demands were met, despite an initial response that was negative as Iranian officials publicly poured scorn on the prospect of any negotiations with the U.S.
The exchange of messages through mediators “does not mean negotiations with the U.S.,” Araqchi said on state television. “They put forward ideas in their messages that were conveyed to top authorities, and if necessary, a position will be announced by them,” Araqchi said.