Iran FM says US threats must end before final talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Tuesday that his country will not begin negotiations on a final agreement with the United States unless Washington ceases its threats against Tehran. The statement, made via social media, directly cites a clause in a recent diplomatic memorandum and follows a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that America is prepared to use military force.

Araghchi’s remarks came after he attended the funeral ceremony for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the city of Qom. In his post, he referenced the massive public gatherings for the funeral, stating that millions of Iranians rallied in unity and that neither the public nor Iran’s armed forces are moved by threats. He explicitly pointed to Paragraph 13 of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations, asserting, “Negotiations on a final deal will not commence if threats continue. Honour your signature.”

The memorandum, a 14-point agreement brokered by Pakistan, entered into force on June 18 after being signed electronically by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and President Trump. It initiated a 60-day period of diplomacy through indirect talks aimed at...