Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran has always been ready for talks based on mutual respect, but the Islamic Republic will not negotiate under pressure and intimidation.

Araghchi made the remarks on Monday as he and his colleagues at Foreign Ministry renewed their allegiance to the ideals of Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, at his mausoleum in southern Tehran.

He said the enemies now talk of diplomacy after the failure of both their anti-Iran plots over the past year, including the illegal US-Israeli aggression, and terrorist riots.

“Iran has always been ready for diplomacy from an equal footing, with mutual respect, and in pursuit of the interests of the Iranian nation.”

“Anyone who speaks to the Iranian nation with respect will be met with respect, while anyone who resorts to threats and force will be met likewise, ” he said.

“Diplomacy is incompatible with pressure, threats, and intimidation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran proceeds along this path with resolve and strength,” the foreign minister stated.

Araghchi also noted that Iran has always pursued diplomacy alongside resistance. The Foreign Ministry, he said, stands “in the same position” with the Iranian Armed Forces as they are all striving to secure the rights of the people, defend national interests, and preserve the national security.

Meanwhile, the foreign minister referred to the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against Iran that killed at least 1,064 people between June 13 and 27, 2025.

He said the enemies waged the war at a time when Tehran was holding indirect talks with Washington over the nuclear issue, with Donald Trump, the president of the United States, explicitly calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

However, Araghchi said, the Iranian nation opted for resistance and conducted retaliatory strikes, leading the enemies to demand an unconditional ceasefire.

Referring to the recent foreign-linked riots, the top Iranian diplomat said the unrest had nothing to do with civil protests that are recognized under the Constitution.

During the riots, which were a continuation of the 12-day war, armed terrorists entered the field to carry on the enemies’ failed plot against Iran, Araghchi said.

In late December, Iran saw sporadic economic protests that were quickly hijacked by armed mercenaries incited by US and Israeli leaders and aided by their spy operatives on the ground.

Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said a total of 3,117 people lost their lives during the unrest, adding that 2,427 of those killed were innocent civilians and security personnel.

Over the course of the riots and following the events, Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran and built up American forces in the region.

• Iran prepares framework for nuclear negotiations in days.
• Regional players relay messages between sides for talks.
• Tehran rejects ultimatums, seeks sanctions lifting in deal.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, local media said Monday, after US leader Donald Trump said he was hopeful of a deal to avert military action against the Islamic republic.

Following the Iranian authorities’ response to anti-government protests that peaked last month, Trump has threatened military action and ordered the dispatch of an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East.

While piling pressure on Iran, Trump has maintained he is hopeful of making a deal and Tehran has also insisted it wants diplomacy while vowing an unbridled response to any aggression.

“President Pezeshkian has ordered the opening of talks with the United States,” the news agency Fars reported on Monday, citing an unnamed government source.

“Iran and the United States will hold talks on the nuclear file,” Fars said, without specifying a date. The report was also carried by the government newspaper Iran and the reformist daily Shargh.

Iran said earlier Monday it was working on a method and framework for negotiations that would be ready in the coming days, with messages between the two sides relayed through regional players.

“Several points have been addressed and we are examining and finalising the details of each stage in the diplomatic process, which we hope to conclude in the coming days,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, without giving details on the content of any negotiations.

Trump had warned “time is running out” for Iran to reach a deal on its nuclear programme, which the West believes is aimed at making an atomic bomb.

But Baqaei said Tehran “never accepts ultimatums” and that he could not confirm any such message was received.

Regional players have pushed for diplomacy to defuse tensions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Turkey last week and held further calls with his Egyptian, Saudi and Turkish counterparts, he said on Telegram.

“President Trump said no nuclear weapons, and we fully agree. We fully agree with that. That could be a very good deal,” Araghchi told CNN on Sunday.

“Of course, in return, we expect sanctions lifting. So, that deal is possible. Let’s do not talk about impossible things.”

Baqaei said the rallying of neighbouring states around a diplomatic solution demonstrated a fear any US attack would drag the region into conflict, echoing Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who warned on Sunday a US attack would trigger a “regional war”.

Ambassadors summoned

The supreme leader also likened the recent protests to a “coup” attempt.

Authorities have said the protests, which were sparked by economic strain and exploded in size and intensity over several days in early January, were “riots” inflamed by its arch foes the United States and Israel.

Tehran has acknowledged thousands of deaths during the protests, and on Sunday the presidency published the names of 2,986 people out of the 3,117 whom authorities said were killed in the unrest.

Authorities insist most were members of the security forces and innocent bystanders, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts”.

The crackdown prompted the European Union to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, with Iranian lawmakers retaliating on Sunday by slapping the same designation on European armies.

Baqaei said Monday the foreign ministry had summoned all the EU member state ambassadors in Tehran over the designation, and that other responses were to come.

Iranian state television also announced four foreigners had been arrested in Tehran for “participation in riots”, without specifying their nationalities.

Authorities have continued to announce arrests, with rights groups estimating at least 40,000 people have been detained over the protests.

The World Bank President’s visit to a major Sikh religious site reinforces Pakistan’s image of religious tolerance and boosts prospects for religious tourism and international goodwill.

World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga visited Gurdwara Siri Punja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Attock, where he paid respects, joined a special prayer ceremony, and shared a Langar (community meal) with the Sikh community, accompanied by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora; senior civil and police officials ensured foolproof security, while the Punjab government highlighted ongoing renovation of historical religious sites and the annual influx of thousands of local and foreign Sikh pilgrims, especially during Baisakhi, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to religious freedom and tourism promotion.

Ajay Pal Singh Banga, President of the World Bank, visited Gurdwara Siri Punja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, reflecting international recognition of Pakistan’s commitment to religious inclusivity and interfaith harmony.

The presence of Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora demonstrated state-level ownership of minority protection and inclusive governance policies.

Comprehensive and foolproof security arrangements by the district administration and police highlighted Pakistan’s institutional capacity to host high-profile international dignitaries safely.

Participation in the Langar (community kitchen) alongside the Sikh community underscored values of equality, social cohesion, and communal harmony embedded in Pakistan’s religious landscape.

Ongoing renovation and beautification of historical religious sites in Punjab reaffirmed the government’s strategy to promote religious tourism and attract thousands of local and foreign pilgrims annually.