Iran has denied being ready to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States following the end of the 12-day war with Israel, and accused Washington of exaggerating the impact of American strikes, AFP reported.

The most serious conflict to date between Israel and Iran has derailed nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. Nonetheless, President Donald Trump stated that Washington would hold talks with Tehran next week, and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed hope for a “comprehensive peace agreement.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected that claim. He said it was “speculation” that Tehran would return to the negotiating table and insisted it “should not be taken seriously.”

“I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement, or discussion has taken place about initiating new negotiations,” Araghchi said on state television. “There is still no plan in place to begin talks.”

Araghchi’s statement came as Iranian lawmakers passed a “mandatory” bill to halt cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog. At the same time, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of exaggerating the impact of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. | BGNES