TEHRAN - Talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy will fail to prove “effective” or “produce results” through military threats.

The comments by the foreign minister followed as the U.S. is reinforcing its military buildup near Iran.  In addition, President Donald Trump has made a series of incendiary remarks against Iran. 
Araghchi said, “If they want negotiations, they must surely set aside exorbitant and illogical demands.” 

Araghchi also dismissed reports of contacts between him and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days. He also said Tehran has not made any proposals for negotiations with the United States.

The chief diplomat said Iran is in contact with different countries that are seeking to “play a role with goodwill,” but “no decision has been taken yet, and there has been no request from our side.”  

U.S. President Donald Trump has been repeatedly calling for a deal with Iran on its nuclear program. Iran has not rejected dialogue, but it has insisted that its inalienable rights for a peaceful nuclear program must be respected. 

“Dialogue must be on an equal footing, with mutual respect and mutual benefit. If one side seeks to achieve its goals through bullying, that will not be acceptable and cannot be called diplomacy,” Araghchi stated.

On a question that many countries are willing to mediate between Iran and the U.S., Araghchi said, “Our position is clear. Dialogue is not in tandem with threat. And dialogue should take place in a situation far from threats and exorbitant demands.”

Arab countries on the shores of the Persian Gulf have announced that they will not allow the U.S. to use their airspace or their soil for a possible attack on Iran.

In a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday afternoon, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared his country’s opposition to external threats against the Islamic Republic. The crown prince also asserted that Saudi Arabia “will not tolerate any aggression, threat, or provocation of tension against Iran.”

In his Wednesday remarks, Araghchi told reporters that the ambassadors of regional Arab countries are in contact with Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and he himself is in contact with these countries’ foreign ministers. 
For example, he said, he talked to Qatar’s foreign minister on Tuesday night.

The entire region is against military threats

Iran’s chief diplomat went on to say that, in his view, regional countries unanimously believe that a military confrontation will “destabilize the entire region”.

Araghchi went on to say, “The entire region is against military threat, and all believe that instability will cause major challenges for the region.”

Tehran and Riyadh warn of “dangerous consequences”

In a phone call on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Araghchi and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan also warned of the “dangerous consequences” of any escalation in tensions for security and stability in the Middle East.
The two ministers warned of “dangerous consequences of any escalation of tensions in the region on regional peace and stability,” Press TV reported.
They also said all regional countries have a shared responsibility to maintain stability and security in the region
 
Araghchi also held a separate phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday.
TRT news agency cited a source within the Turkish Foreign Ministry as saying that the ministers discussed efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the wake of the latest developments.
Fidan has warned the U.S. against launching a military attack on Iran, calling such a move "wrong."