Iran`s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference with his Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan following their meeting in Istanbul on January 30, 2026. (Photo by Iran`s Foreign Ministry)

Iran is prepared for both war and negotiations but will not accept imposed terms, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said amid continued Washington`s military threats against Tehran.

"Iran is ready to enter nuclear negotiations if they are conducted from an equal position, based on mutual interests and mutual respect," Araghchi said on Friday in a joint press conference with this Turkish counterpart, 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."

Araghchi said he was pleased to be in Turkey and described his discussions with Fidan as "good and useful." He noted that Iran and Turkey are neighbors and friends who have stood by each other "in both easy and difficult days."

He said Iran welcomes "any initiative that leads to peace and stability in the region, reduces tensions, and neutralizes the sinister plots of Israel."

He added that Tehran supports Turkey`s approach to regional dialogue and is ready to take part in any talks among regional countries aimed at peace, de-escalation and lasting stability.

Responding to questions about contacts with Washington, Araghchi said the US government has sought negotiations through various 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.

Asked whether he might meet a US official in the coming hours or days, Araghchi said: "No plan has yet been arranged for a meeting between us and the Americans."

He reiterated Iran`s readiness for "fair and just negotiations," but said preliminary arrangements must first be made, including the format, venue and subject of 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."

At the same time, Araghchi issued a stark warning over 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. The attacks came as Tehran and Washington were holding indirect talks on the nuclear issue mediated by Oman.

He said any future conflict would be different, particularly if the United States were directly involved, and warned it 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.

Iran`s defensive capabilities non-negotiable

Araghchi also made clear that Iran`s defensive capabilities are not up for discussion. "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 added that Iran and Turkey agree regional developments are moving in a dangerous direction due to "illegitimate interventions by some extra-regional powers."

He said Israel has been pursuing "sinister plots" to push others toward war, weaken and fragment regional countries, and continue its expansionist ambitions.

Ankara opposed to military intervention

Fidan, speaking alongside Araghchi, reiterated Ankara`s opposition to military action against Iran. "We have conveyed our opposition to a military intervention against Iran to our interlocutors at every opportunity," he said.

He added that Iran`s internal issues should be resolved peacefully by the Iranian people without foreign interference.

Fidan also warned that Israel is trying to persuade the United States to launch a military attack on Iran. "Israel`s efforts have the potential to cause great harm to our region`s fragile stability," he said, expressing hope that the US administration would act with "common sense" and not allow such a scenario.

He said restarting talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran`s nuclear program is "vital" to reducing tensions.

The remarks come amid a sharp rise in threatening rhetoric from Washington. US President Donald Trump recently said "another beautiful armada" of warships was heading toward Iran. He later said the deployment was meant to pressure Tehran into negotiations, warning that failure to reach a deal would trigger a military strike "far worse" than the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.

A US naval strike group has been in Middle Eastern waters since Monday, and Trump has said it is "ready, willing and able" to strike Iran "if necessary."

Iran has repeatedly rejected threats and coercion, insisting diplomacy cannot succeed under pressure or intimidation. It has warned that any military attack by the US or its allies will be met with a swift and decisive response.