Iran Rejects Revival of US Nuclear Talks After Strikes – Declares Damage “Overstated”

      Iran’s FM Araghchi strongly denies new nuclear negotiations with the US.

Iran Rejects Revival of US Nuclear Talks After Strikes – Declares Damage “Overstated”

By M Muzamil Shami - June 27, 2025

Tehran Shuts Door on Nuclear Diplomacy Amid Anti‑US Atmosphere

TEHRAN — In a decisive rebuke, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that Iran has not initiated any new nuclear talks with the United States. Rejecting recent remarks suggesting otherwise, he accused Washington of dramatic exaggeration of the impact of US strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Araghchi emphasized that no agreements, negotiations, or arrangements are in place to resume discussions.

The pushback follows President Donald Trump’s recent statements—echoed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff—suggesting that negotiations could recommence next week, potentially charting a path toward a “comprehensive peace agreement.”

Araghchi’s Candid Denial & Escalation of Tensions

On state television, Araghchi plainly stated:

“No agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations… No plan has been set yet to start negotiations.”

This came just days after Iran’s parliament passed a binding bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog. He accused the US of deploying the suggestion of talks as a smokescreen, asserting diplomacy had been already derailed.

Supreme Leader Khamenei Dismisses US Claims as “Hype”

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first public address since the ceasefire with Israel, praised Iran’s defiance. He criticized Trump for employing “unusual exaggeration”, insisting the US strikes inflicted “nothing significant” on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Instead, he framed the strikes as a “humiliating slap” to Washington, celebrating what he termed a strategic victory over Israel and US interference. Khamenei’s rhetoric reflects a broader hardline sentiment that diplomacy is unacceptable.

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A Tale of Two Narratives—Bombing Impact Disputed

1. US and Israeli authorities heralded the strikes as strategic warfare, claiming they “obliterated” or “badly damaged” nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B‑2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles.

2. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reportedly stated the program suffered “enormous damage”, lending weight to the Western narrative.

3. Conversely, a leaked US defense intelligence memo suggested any disruption to Iran’s nuclear advancement may be limited to just a few months.

4. Tehran also hinted at possible pre‑emptive removal of enriched uranium before the strikes—a claim Washington denies.

Strategic Implications & Global Fallout

1. Diplomatic Relations

   • European nations have ramped up support for US sanctions and zero-enrichment demands. With the IAEA now denied free monitoring, global non-proliferation oversight is severely undermined.

2. Regional Security Risks

   • Iran’s parliament now backs laws enabling a full-scale suspension of inspections, edging toward withdrawal from the NPT.

   • The possibility of widespread conflict looms as US installations in the Gulf face threats of retaliation, prompting Pentagon warnings.

3. Internal Dynamics

   • Iranian lawmakers portray a unified stance, using legislative action to reinforce national cohesion and assert independence.

Power Angle

1. Emotion: Outrage & defiance—Tehran frames strikes as insult, victory claimed.

2. Urgency: Talks “dropped”; time-sensitive backlash threatens stability.

3. Celebrity/Authority: Statements from Trump, Khamenei, Araghchi, IAEA chief spotlight the global power struggle.

FAQs

Q1: Why has Iran halted nuclear talks?
A: Iran views US-led strikes on its nuclear sites as a major breach of trust and believes diplomacy is futile while military aggression continues.

Q2: How badly damaged is Iran’s nuclear program?
A: Contrasting claims swirl—while the IAEA and US assert severe damage, intelligence leaks suggest only a short-term setback of a few months.

Q3: What’s the IAEA’s role now?
A: Tehran’s parliament has enacted a law suspending all cooperation, requiring the IAEA to halt inspections unless Iran’s safety concerns are met.

Q4: Could this conflict escalate into war?
A: Yes. With US bases threatened, Iran’s capacity to retaliate growing, and European diplomacy sidelined, the region risks renewed conflict.

What do you think? Can diplomacy return after this escalation—or is the window permanently closed?

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