Iran's Diplomatic Stance: No Negotiations Under Threat Amid US Tensions

Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has firmly stated that negotiations with the United States cannot take place under threats or coercion. This declaration comes amidst fragile ceasefire conditions following recent conflicts. Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have reiterated their stance against negotiations under duress, while Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi highlighted US actions as significant obstacles to peace talks. Tehran's participation in future discussions is contingent upon the US meeting specific preconditions, raising questions about the future of diplomatic relations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 21, 2026, 13:57 IST

Iran's Firm Position on Negotiations

Washington: Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, emphasized on Tuesday that negotiations cannot occur under coercive circumstances, reaffirming Tehran's position amid ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States.

In a statement shared on X, the ambassador remarked, "A single nation with a rich civilization will not engage in talks under threats and force," highlighting this as a fundamental principle.

These comments arise during a delicate ceasefire that began on April 8, following 40 days of conflict. Pakistan has facilitated indirect discussions between Tehran and Washington, hosting the initial round in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, although Iran has yet to confirm its participation in subsequent talks, according to reports from Xinhua.

Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reiterated that Tehran would not engage in negotiations while under the "shadow of threats."

In his conversation on X, Ghalibaf stated, "Trump, by enforcing a blockade and breaching the ceasefire, aims to transform this negotiation table—according to his own perspective—into a platform for surrender or to rationalize renewed aggression."

"We reject negotiations under threats, and in the past fortnight, we have been preparing to unveil new strategies on the battlefield," he added.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi pointed out that US "provocative actions" and violations of the ceasefire are significant hurdles to ongoing peace talks between the two nations.

During separate discussions with his counterparts from Pakistan and Russia, Araghchi condemned US actions against Iranian commercial vessels, including the reported seizure of the container ship Touska and its crew, and criticized the "contradictory positions and threatening rhetoric" from Washington, as stated by the Foreign Ministry.

According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, Tehran's participation hinges on the US meeting certain preconditions, citing a naval blockade and "excessive demands" as major barriers.

Araghchi indicated that Iran would evaluate whether to proceed with diplomacy based on "all aspects of the situation" and US conduct, asserting that Tehran would take necessary measures to safeguard its interests and national security.