In an interview broadcast on state television on Wednesday (March 25), Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, said that the U.S. proposal to end the war was being reviewed by top authorities in Tehran, but the exchange of messages through mediators "is not called negotiation or dialogue."

The comments by Araqchi suggested some willingness by Tehran to negotiate an end to the war if its demands were met.

Still, the exchange of messages through mediators does not mean negotiations with the U.S., he said on state television.

U.S. President Donald Trump's 15-point proposal, sent through Pakistan, calls for removing Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium, halting enrichment, curbing its ballistic missile program and cutting off funding for regional allies, according to three Israeli cabinet sources familiar with the plan.

The White House declined to disclose specifics of its proposal and threatened to escalate its strikes.

Since the start of what the U.S. calls "Operation Epic Fury," Iran has attacked countries that host U.S. bases and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.

The war has raged with no let-up in air attacks against Iran, or in Iranian drone and missile strikes against Israel and U.S. allies.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: UNKNOWN LOCATION, IRAN (BROADCAST MARCH 25, 2026) (IRIB - No use Iran, BBC Persian, No use VOA Persian, No use Manoto, No use Iran International, No use Radio Farda)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"No negotiations have taken place so far. I state firmly that there has been no negotiation or dialogue with the American side. However, in recent days the American side has begun sending various messages through different intermediaries. Messages being conveyed through our friendly countries, and us responding by stating our positions or issuing the necessary warnings, is not called negotiation or dialogue. It is simply an exchange of messages through our friends."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"They have put forward some ideas. I saw in one or two places that it was described as a 15-point plan, but these were presented as various proposals. All of them have been conveyed to the country’s senior authorities, and if it becomes necessary to take a position, that will certainly be decided. For now, our policy is to continue resisting and to continue defending the country. At present we have no intention of negotiating, and no negotiations have taken place."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"The fact that they are now talking about negotiations is, in itself, an admission of defeat. Were they not demanding unconditional surrender? So why are they now speaking about negotiations? I will explain this further, because there are no negotiations taking place. But the very fact that an enemy that was seeking our unconditional surrender is now talking about negotiations, requesting talks and mobilising its highest officials to negotiate with the Islamic Republic means accepting defeat."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"We want the war to end, but on our terms, in a way that ensures it will not be repeated and that our enemies learn a lesson so they will not even contemplate attacking Iran again. Second, the damage suffered by the people of Iran must be compensated."

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"After 47 years, they finally forced us to demonstrate our authority over the Strait of Hormuz. They did not believe it. They thought Iran was bluffing. They thought Iran did not have the courage to do such a thing. But we did it with strength. They mobilised all their capabilities to stop it, but they failed. They even turned to other countries. They even appealed to those they themselves consider enemies, asking them to come and help reopen this waterway. But no one responded, because it is simply not feasible. When even the U.S. fleet does not dare enter the strait, how can they expect the naval forces of other countries to come close? We warned all countries that if their armed forces enter this area, they will escalate tensions and create more complex problems for the region, and the issue of the Strait of Hormuz will become even more complicated."

10. WHITE FLASH

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"From our perspective, the Strait of Hormuz is not completely closed. It is closed only to our enemies. That is natural. We are in a state of war. The region is a war zone, and there is no reason to allow the ships of our enemies and their allies to pass through. But it remains open to others."

12. WHITE FLASH

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"Many of the shipowners, or the countries that own these vessels, have contacted us and requested that we ensure their safe passage through the strait. For some of these countries that we consider friendly, or in cases where we have decided to do so for other reasons, our armed forces have provided safe passage. You have seen in the news: China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, India two of its ships passed through a few nights ago and some other countries, and even Bangladesh, I believe. These are countries that spoke with us and coordinated with us, and this will continue in the future as well, even after the war."

14. WHITE FLASH

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"Our message to the countries of the region is clear. They must distance themselves from the United States. They must separate themselves from this U.S. attack against the people of Iran, which is completely illegal, entirely unjustified and has no legitimacy. Unfortunately, the countries of the Persian Gulf have not even condemned it."

16. WHITE FLASH

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"Our message is that they must distance themselves. They must not allow their land, airspace or waters to be used against us, and they will see that we will have no issue with them. Even now, we have no quarrel with them.Our attacks are not directed at neighbouring countries. We still consider them friendly nations. We regard their people as our brothers and sisters. If attacks take place, they are directed at U.S. bases, U.S. facilities, U.S. interests and places where U.S. forces gather, and they are not limited only to U.S. bases."