Iranian foreign minister says negotiations with U.S. may be off the table

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Monday that discussions with the United States might no longer be possible following the military actions taken by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. In an interview with PBS News Hour co-anchor Amna Nawaz, Araghchi expressed doubt that negotiations with the U.S. would be part of their plans. He referred to last year's discussions about Iran's nuclear program, which occurred before the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in June. Trump claimed that Iran "rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions," justifying the attacks. Araghchi noted that during the last round of talks in February, the Americans assured them they had "no intention to attack," but they went ahead and did so. On Sunday, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named to succeed his father, who was killed in Israeli attacks over a week earlier. Araghchi mentioned that it is "too soon" for Mojtaba Khamenei to comment on negotiations with the U.S., as he has not yet made any public statements in his new position. "We are all waiting for his speeches and comments, which will come later," he said. However, Araghchi believes that discussions with the Americans will not be considered again due to their "bitter experience" in previous talks. During the ongoing conflict, Trump has called for Iran's "unconditional surrender," and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Friday that this would happen when Trump decides Iran "no longer poses a threat to the United States." Mojtaba Khamenei was seen as a potential successor before the Israeli strike targeted the Tehran office of his 86-year-old father, resulting in his death and the end of his 36-year leadership.