According to a report by The Times of Israel on Sunday, July 19, 2026, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran should continue pursuing negotiations with the United States despite the slim prospects of success, arguing that diplomacy remains a better option than the heavy costs associated with armed conflict.
Speaking in a televised interview, Araghchi said Iran should not abandon dialogue simply because the chances of reaching an agreement is only 10%.
“The negotiations had several objectives. One was that we might find a way through negotiations to achieve our demands, and we should not miss that opportunity,” he said.
According to the Iranian foreign minister, even a small possibility of securing a diplomatic breakthrough makes negotiations worthwhile.
He said, “War has its own costs, and if any country can achieve its objectives through negotiations, it will certainly prefer that less dangerous and less costly path.”
Araghchi maintained that diplomacy remains the most effective way to reduce tensions, even as relations between Tehran and Washington remain strained by longstanding disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and regional security issues.
His latest remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries following months of military confrontations and renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a wider regional conflict.
Recent reports indicate that while Iranian officials remain open to negotiations, Tehran has also insisted that meaningful talks cannot take place under continued military pressure or threats from Washington. Earlier this month, Araghchi said negotiations on a final agreement would not begin unless the United States honoured previous understandings and ceased what Iran described as threatening actions.
The diplomatic standoff has unfolded alongside renewed hostilities in the Middle East. The United States has intensified military operations against Iranian targets while also calling on Tehran to return to negotiations. Washington has recently reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and warned of additional strikes if diplomatic efforts fail, further increasing tensions across the region.
Despite these developments, Araghchi has continued to argue that diplomacy should remain on the table, stressing that negotiations offer a less costly alternative to prolonged conflict….See More