Have you ever negotiated fearing death? Iran minister recalls asking US envoy

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, disclosed during an interview with the state-linked Mehr news agency that he once questioned U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff during tense diplomatic talks about whether he had ever negotiated under the fear of imminent death. This revelation came amid escalating hostilities between Iran and the United States, which have led to renewed airstrikes and a breakdown of a previously brokered ceasefire. During the conversation, Araghchi recounted how he challenged Witkoff directly, asking if he had ever participated in negotiations where the entire meeting could be bombed at any moment. He described the environment as highly volatile, with Iranian officials operating under constant threats of military action. “Have you ever been on the phone while you're talking, you might, as they say, explode, be destroyed?” Araghchi asked, according to reports. He added that even during personal calls to check in on family, participants feared it could be their final communication. Despite these dangers, Araghchi emphasized that Iran refused to yield to pressure. “We stood our ground,” he stated. “You have to talk. You can’t threaten us and you can’t bribe us.” The dialogue between Araghchi and Witkoff began during nuclear negotiations last year and has continued sporadically since. While both sides have engaged in multiple rounds of indirect talks, Tehran has consistently denied that these interactions constitute formal negotiations. These discussions have taken place across several international locations, including Muscat, Rome, Geneva, and Islamabad. In April, Araghchi traveled to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia for additional rounds of talks involving Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with Pakistani officials facilitating some of the exchanges. Beyond these meetings, the two sides have reportedly maintained communication through direct text messages. Araghchi also addressed recent speculation that Iran could be coerced into submission through military pressure. He rejected comparisons to Venezuela, where U.S. actions against President Nicolas Maduro led to a perceived collapse of the regime. “Iran is not Venezuela,” he asserted, stating that Washington could not expect to capture “one person” and force the country’s leadership to surrender. His remarks come as tensions continue to rise, with both nations engaging in aggressive military posturing. The current escalation follows the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. has resumed strikes against Iranian targets, conducting an eighth consecutive night of attacks following the deaths of two American service members in an Iranian missile strike on a Jordanian military base. According to U.S. Central Command, the latest strikes targeted Iranian coastal surveillance and air defense systems linked to attacks on American forces and commercial shipping. In response, Iran has launched new drone and missile attacks aimed at U.S. military installations throughout the Gulf. Kuwait and Bahrain reported intercepting incoming projectiles, while Israel warned that missiles launched from Iran were heading toward Jordan’s Aqaba, sparking concerns about potential spillover into Israeli territory. The conflict has also heightened competition for control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran has insisted the waterway remains closed and has threatened further retaliation unless U.S. pressure is eased. Domestically, Araghchi faces growing challenges to his authority. Reports indicated that he was compelled to leave the funeral procession of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after mourners threw stones and shouted slogans against him, labeling him a “compromiser.” Hardline factions within Iran have also criticized Araghchi, along with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian, for allegedly pursuing policies that weaken Iran’s stance. As the situation continues to unfold, the role of diplomacy in deescalating tensions remains uncertain. With both sides showing little willingness to back down, the risk of further military clashes appears high. Meanwhile, the ongoing standoff underscores the deepening rift between Iran and the United States, with neither side showing immediate signs of yielding.