Iran FM says US talks ongoing but yielding no progress

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that diplomatic channels with Washington remain open but have produced no concrete results, as Tehran pressed firm conditions for any formal return to talks aimed at ending the regional conflict.

The statement signals a continued deadlock in Iran-U.S. diplomacy as fighting persists in Lebanon and Middle East tensions show no sign of easing, with Tehran insisting on firm preconditions before resuming direct negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Wednesday that exchanges with U.S. officials have continued, but said the back-and-forth has not moved the two sides closer to ending the conflict.

"Communications with the Americans have not been cut off, and messages have been exchanged regarding the need to stop aggression against Beirut, but no tangible progress has been made in the negotiation process," Araghchi said, according to Tasnim news agency, which cited his remarks to Al Mayadeen TV.

Araghchi outlined explicit preconditions for Iran to return to the negotiating table. "Returning to the negotiating table is conditional on ensuring the rights of the Iranian people, ending the war in Lebanon, and stopping tensions in the region," he told Al Mayadeen TV, the Korea Times reported.

The remarks come as hostilities in Lebanon continue and broader regional instability persists across the Middle East. Tehran has long maintained it will not resume direct talks without concrete assurances on both the protection of its citizens' interests and a halt to regional fighting.

The Korea Times reported the statements Wednesday, citing Tasnim news agency and Al Mayadeen TV.

No response from the U.S. government had been issued by Wednesday. The status of any potential direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran remained unclear.