Iran dismisses US media reports on talks as Araghchi begins regional tour, saying no negotiations with Washington are planned.
Key Developments
- Iran rejects US media reports of imminent talks, calls coverage “fake” and “misleading”.
- Araghchi confirms regional tour is routine, not linked to negotiations with Washington.
- Officials deny changes to negotiation delegation, say no talks currently scheduled.
Iran Slams US Media Coverage as ‘Fake’
Tasnim News Agency reported on Friday that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia as part of an official regional tour, amid what it described as a wave of misleading reports by US media regarding potential negotiations in Islamabad.
According to Tasnim, several US outlets rushed to publish what they framed as “exclusive” reports citing “informed sources,” including claims about the composition of an Iranian delegation and the absence of Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
The agency sharply criticized these reports, describing them as “pure nonsense,” and stressed that Araghchi had already publicly announced the trip and its agenda.
Tasnim specifically targeted Axios, accusing it of publishing fabricated claims and stating it is “known for fake news.”
It added that reports suggesting Qalibaf would not accompany Araghchi were “extremely ridiculous,” particularly when presented as exclusive intelligence.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Launches Regional Tour as Pakistan Pushes New US Talks
No Negotiations Planned in Islamabad
Tasnim further dismissed reports by CNN claiming that US envoys, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, were heading to Islamabad for negotiations with Araghchi.
While the White House confirmed that its envoys are traveling to Pakistan, Iranian sources insisted that no talks with the United States are currently on the agenda.
According to Tasnim, Araghchi’s visit is focused on consultations with Pakistani officials regarding Iran’s position on ending the war, rather than engaging in negotiations.
Claims of Negotiation Delegation Denied
In a separate statement carried by Al Mayadeen, Iranian authorities also rejected reports suggesting that Qalibaf had resigned from leading a negotiating delegation.
Officials from the parliament’s media center, cited via Mizan News Agency, said there is “no truth” to such claims and confirmed that no new round of negotiations has been scheduled.
They emphasized that no individual has been appointed to lead any upcoming delegation, describing the reports as an attempt to distort public opinion.
The latest media dispute comes against the backdrop of failed Islamabad-mediated negotiations between Iran and the United States held on April 11 and 12.
Those talks ended without agreement after prolonged discussions. According to Araghchi, negotiations had been “just inches away” from a deal before collapsing.
Iranian officials later attributed the breakdown to what they described as “excessive demands” and shifting US positions during the final stages of negotiations.
Tehran maintained that it had entered the talks in good faith, seeking a “definitive and lasting end” to the conflict, but concluded that Washington’s approach ultimately undermined progress.
(PC, Al Mayadeen, Tasnim, Mizan news agency)
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