Foreign Minister Araghchi denies contacts between Iran and the United States

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Wikimedia Commons/Mehr News Agency/Hamed Malekpour)

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday there had been "no recent contact" with US envoy Steve Witkoff amid growing concerns over a possible US attack on Tehran.

"There has been no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days, and we have not asked for talks," Foreign Minister Araghchi told state media as quoted by the Fars News Agency, Anadolu (28/1).

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday another "fleet" was moving towards Iran, saying Tehran was seeking a diplomatic solution with Washington.

"They want to make a deal. I know that. They're calling all the time. They want to talk," Trump claimed to Axios.

Foreign Minister Araghchi said several countries acted as intermediaries and remained in contact with Iran, noting regional countries shared concerns about rising tensions.

"Countries in the region understand that any military threat will shake the entire region," he warned.

Foreign Minister Araghchi called on the US to abandon what he called threats, excessive demands, and the raising of "unreasonable issues," arguing that negotiations have their own principles and must take place on an equal footing.

"Negotiations under threat will not succeed," he said, adding that although various individuals and countries have expressed interest in mediation or have contacted, Iran's position "remains unchanged."

It is known that tensions have escalated between Tehran and Washington following anti-government protests in Iran, with the US government saying all options, including military action, remain open in dealing with Tehran.

On the other hand, Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would trigger a "swift and comprehensive" response.