STORY: Iran is ready to resume “fair and equitable” talks with the United States, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Friday (January 30), warning that Tehran’s missile program cannot be on the table, as regional powers scramble to avert a military clash between the two foes.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (January 29), he planned to speak with Iran, even as the U.S. sent another warship to the Middle East and the Pentagon chief said the military would be ready to carry out whatever the president decided.

“If the negotiations are conducted in a fair and equitable manner, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to take part in these talks and in such negotiations.” said Araqchi in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in Istanbul.

One of the main demands by the U.S. to resume talks with Iran is curbing its missile programme, a senior Iranian official told Reuters last week. Iran rejects that demand.

However, Araqchi said no meetings have been yet arranged between Tehran and Washington to resolve a decades-long nuclear dispute.

Araqchi said "Iran's missiles will never be the subject of any negotiations", adding, "Tehran will maintain and expand" its defensive capabilities.

Tehran has vowed a crushing response to any military aggression that could engulf the Middle East.

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REFILE: Iran welcomes "fair" talks with U.S., rejects curbing its missile work

VIDEO SHOWS: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI HOLDING PRESSER WITH TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER, HAKAN FIDAN IN ISTANBUL

EDITORS NOTE - RESENDING EDIT TO ADD SOUNDBITE IN SHOT 14

SHOWS: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (JANUARY 30, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. VARIOUS OF IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, AND TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER, HAKAN FIDAN ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"I should also state unequivocally that Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities — and Iran’s missiles — will never be the subject of any negotiations. I do not think any country is prepared to compromise with anyone over its own security and defence. The security of the Iranian people is no one else’s business, and we will preserve and expand our defensive capabilities to whatever extent is necessary to defend the country.”

3. ARAQCHI AND FIDAN AT PODIUM, JOURNALISTS SEATED

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

“If the negotiations are conducted in a fair and equitable manner, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to take part in these talks and in such negotiations.”

5. NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

“Iran welcomes and is ready to participate in any form of dialogue between regional countries that is aimed at creating peace, reducing tensions, and strengthening stability in the region, and we are ready to take part in them.”

7. ARAQCHI AND FIDAN AT PODIUM

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

“In Syria, we seek the preservation of territorial integrity, an end to the occupation by the Zionist regime (Israel), dialogue, the formation of a government based on the will of the citizens, and the participation of all segments of society in determining Syria’s future. Ultimately, we seek stability and unity in this country.”

9. NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

“No plans have yet been arranged for a meeting between us and the Americans.”

11. NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

“As I said, we are ready for fair and equitable negotiations. Preliminary arrangements for such negotiations must first be made — regarding the format of the talks, the location, and the subjects to be discussed.”

13. NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

"We have said this many times, and I repeat it again: the Islamic Republic of Iran is, just as it is ready for negotiations, also ready for war.”

15. NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ABBAS ARAQCHI, SAYING:

“The results of the negotiations will be determined at the negotiation table, not before the talks. If one side wants to impose its demands in advance, this is no longer a negotiation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will never enter into such talks.”

17. ARAQCHI AND FIDAN SHAKING HANDS

18. ARAQCHI AND FIDAN LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE