Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has publicly rejected reports in US media that he sought to revive nuclear talks with Washington, saying Tehran will not negotiate with the United States as strikes continue across the region.
Larijani’s Statement
Posting on X, Larijani wrote bluntly:
"We will not negotiate with the United States."
He also accused President Donald Trump of destabilising the Middle East with what he called "delusional fantasies," and said Trump has "turned his self-made 'America First' slogan into 'Israel First'" while sacrificing American troops to advance Israeli ambitions.
Reports Of Back-Channel Contacts
The clarification followed a Wall Street Journal report that claimed Larijani had used Omani intermediaries to press for talks after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in a joint US‑Israeli attack. Larijani’s posts denied those accounts and reiterated Iran’s refusal to enter negotiations with Washington under current conditions.
Casualties And Military Action
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed at least three US service members were killed and five others were "seriously wounded" in operations against Iran. The US and Israel continued strikes across Iran on the third consecutive day of a campaign that President Trump says aims to remove Iran’s government from power.
Regional Tensions And Retaliation
Iran has responded by striking US assets across the Middle East, heightening fears of a broader regional war. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the killing as a "cowardly act of terror" in a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council, calling the attacks a "dangerous and unprecedented escalation".
US Government Messaging And Upcoming Briefings
Reporting from Washington, Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan noted mixed messages within the Trump administration about potential off-ramps. Officials signalled both the possibility of resumed negotiations and the prospect of an extended military campaign. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Dan Caine were scheduled to brief the press at 13:00 GMT, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was due to brief lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the intelligence behind the decision to go to war.
The situation remains fluid, with international concern growing over the risk of further escalation and civilian harm as both diplomatic and military developments continue to unfold.
