“Iran is ready to enter nuclear negotiations if they are conducted from an equal position, based on mutual interests and mutual respect,” Araqchi made the statements during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara.

“If the negotiations are fair and just, Iran is ready to participate in these talks and negotiations.”

He added: “We will by no means accept dictation and imposition.”

Araqchi described his talks with Fidan as “good and useful” and emphasized the strong neighborly bond between Iran and Turkey.

He noted that the two countries have supported each other “in both easy and difficult days.”

Araqchi expressed Tehran’s support for any regional initiative that promotes peace, reduces tensions, and counters “the sinister plots of Israel.”

He confirmed Iran’s willingness to join dialogue among regional nations aimed at de-escalation and lasting stability.

Turning to US contacts, Araqchi acknowledged that Washington has repeatedly sought negotiations through intermediaries.

“Iran has no problem with negotiation,” he said.

“But negotiations cannot take shape under the shadow of threats. They must abandon threats and be ready for fair negotiations.”

“Iran has never abandoned diplomacy and will never abandon it,” highlighted the top diplomat.

When asked about a possible meeting with US officials in the near future, Araqchi replied: “No plan has yet been arranged for a meeting between us and the Americans.”

He stressed that preliminary arrangements including format, venue, and agend must be agreed upon first for any meaningful talks.

“I had very good discussions with Mr. Fidan today on these issues,” he said.

“We will continue these consultations with friends in the region, and I hope we can soon reach a clear framework that guarantees honorable negotiations.”

Araqchi also delivered a firm warning regarding US threats.

“We have said many times, and I repeat once again: Iran, just as it is ready for negotiations, is also ready for war,” he said.

“We are even more prepared than before the 12-day war,” said the minister, referring to the US-Israeli aggression on Iran in June after the attacks came as Tehran and Washington were holding indirect talks on the nuclear issue mediated by Oman.

He warned that any new conflict, especially with direct US involvement, would differ significantly and could “expand beyond a bilateral war.”

“I hope rationality prevails and those who seek to drag the region into an all-out war fail in their objectives,” he said.

Araqchi firmly ruled out any discussion of Iran’s defensive systems.

“Iran’s defensive capability and missiles will never be the subject of any negotiation,” he said.

“The security of the Iranian people is not related to anyone else, and we will preserve and expand our defensive capabilities to whatever extent is necessary to defend the country.”

He noted shared concern between Iran and Turkey over dangerous regional trends caused by “illegitimate interventions by some extra-regional powers.”

Araqchi said Israel has been pursuing “sinister plots” to provoke war, weaken and fragment regional countries, and advance expansionist goals.

For his part, Fidan strongly opposed any military action against Iran.

“We have conveyed our opposition to a military intervention against Iran to our interlocutors at every opportunity,” he said.

He insisted that Iran’s internal matters should be resolved peacefully by Iranians themselves without external interference.

Fidan cautioned that Israel is actively urging the United States to attack Iran.

“Israel’s efforts have the potential to cause great harm to our region’s fragile stability,” he said.

He expressed hope that Washington would exercise “common sense” and avoid such escalation.

Fidan described the resumption of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington as “vital” for lowering regional tensions.

The comments follow intensified US rhetoric, including recent statements from President Donald Trump about deploying “another beautiful armada” of warships toward Iran.

Trump indicated the naval buildup aims to compel negotiations, warning that failure to agree would lead to a strike “far worse” than the June 2025 US attack on Iranian nuclear sites.

A US naval strike group has been positioned in Middle Eastern waters since Monday, with Trump describing it as “ready, willing and able” to act against Iran “if necessary.”

Tehran has consistently rejected negotiations under threat or coercion, insisting that diplomacy requires mutual respect and equality, and has vowed a powerful response to any attack.