The Blubber

Iran declared on Friday that it would refuse to engage in nuclear talks with the United States as long as it remains under attack by Israel — following President Trump’s effective two-week deadline for renewed negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi firmly stated there was no possibility for negotiations with the U.S. “until Israeli aggression ceases.”

“Americans have sought to negotiate and sent messages multiple times, but we have made it clear that dialogue cannot happen while this aggression continues,” Araqchi said during a televised address.

He also accused the U.S. of being a “partner in Israeli crimes against Iran.”

Araqchi’s resolute stance came as he met with senior European diplomats in Geneva — marking the first in-person meeting between Western and Iranian officials since the conflict began. The Europeans aimed to encourage Tehran to return to talks with the U.S.

Ahead of the meeting, Araqchi emphasized that Iran is open to “dialogue” but not to formal negotiations at this time.

“For other parties seeking dialogue—not negotiations, which are not feasible now—we have no objection,” he said.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said after more than three hours of discussions that the Europeans remain eager to continue dialogue and negotiations with Iran.

Lammy also stressed the Europeans’ position that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon” and noted that “a window exists now, within the next two weeks, to reach a diplomatic resolution.”