TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said here Wednesday that he has not been in contact with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff over the past days, according to the official news agency IRNA.
He made the remarks while addressing reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, noting that Iran has submitted no request for negotiations with the United States as tensions remain high between the two sides.
Araghchi said different mediators and countries are in contact with Iran "seeking to play a role with goodwill," adding that "no decision has been made yet and we have not sent any request."
He emphasized that negotiations should be held on equal footing, based on mutual respect and to safeguard bilateral interests.
A day earlier, Araghchi and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani discussed the latest international developments and bilateral ties in a phone call, highlighting the necessity to continue diplomatic efforts to maintain stability and de-escalate tensions in the West Asia region, according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement.
The developments came as Trump announced that a "massive armada," headed by the Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln and larger than that sent to Venezuela, is heading to Iran, and warned Iran that "time is running out" to make a deal with the United States. Iran has warned of a "comprehensive and regret-inducing" response to any aggression. ■
