--- title: "Diplomatic Nuance: Iranian MFA Clarifies Status of Contacts with the US" description: "🇮🇷 Iranian MFA clarifies the situation with contacts with the US: there are no direct negotiations, but an exchange of messages is taking place via intermediaries. Abbas Araqchi explained the importance of terminology against the backdrop of escalation in the Middle East. ⚠️ The nuclear deal is frozen." date: 2026-08-09T14:12:06.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/iranian-mfa-clarifies-status-of-contacts-with-the-us tags: [iran, usa, diplomacy, middle-east, abbas-aragchi, foreign-policy] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Diplomatic Nuance: Iranian MFA Clarifies Status of Contacts with the US ![Iranian Foreign Minister clarifies status of diplomatic contacts with the US during official briefing](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/09/mid-irana-otkryl-kanal-svazi-s-ssha-cherez-posrednikov/mid-irana-otkryl-kanal-svazi-s-ssha-cherez-posrednikov-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The Iranian MFA officially denied the existence of negotiations with the US, calling the contacts an "exchange of messages". - Oman acts as the main intermediary in the dialogue between Tehran and Washington. - The exchange of information is aimed at preventing accidental escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. - Discussions on the nuclear deal (JCPOA) are currently completely suspended. On Sunday, August 9, 2026, Abbas Araqchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held an official press conference in Tehran dedicated to the current state of bilateral relations with the United States. During the event, the Iranian Foreign Minister provided clarifications regarding the nature of diplomatic contacts between the two states, which have recently become the subject of speculation in global media. ### Distinguishing Concepts: Negotiations or Message Exchange? The key point of Abbas Araqchi's speech was a strict distinction in terminology. The Minister stated that currently, there are no official negotiations between Iran and the US. According to him, the existing format of interaction should be classified exclusively as an "exchange of messages" through intermediary channels. Araqchi emphasized: "At present, we do not have direct or official negotiations with America. Yes, an exchange of messages takes place through intermediaries. Please understand: this is not called 'negotiations,' but specifically 'exchange of messages' to prevent missteps". ### Mechanism of Communication via Intermediaries According to confirmed data, the primary channel of communication between Washington and Tehran remains the Sultanate of Oman (the so-called "Muscat channel"). As additional diplomatic routes, the US Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, as well as diplomatic representatives of Qatar, are used. This format allows the parties to exchange information, warnings, and positions without the need for direct meetings at the level of official delegations. ### Geopolitical Context and Prevention of Escalation The statement by the Iranian Minister came against the backdrop of a critical escalation of the situation in the Middle East, which, according to experts, reached a peak phase in August 2026. Following a series of mutual strikes between Israel, the Lebanese group Hezbollah, and Iran, the region is balancing on the brink of a full-scale conflict. Through intermediary channels, the US is transmitting warnings to Iran about the consequences of possible new large-scale missile attacks on Israel. In turn, Tehran uses these channels to demand that Washington influence the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while stating that it does not seek escalation but reserves the right to take retaliatory measures. ### Status of the Nuclear Program and the JCPOA During the briefing, Abbas Araqchi also touched upon the issue of the nuclear deal (JCPOA). He confirmed that any discussions related to Iran's nuclear program are currently completely halted. The Foreign Minister cited the "destructive position of the US and the situation in Gaza" as the reason for suspending dialogue in this area. Previously, in 2025, the communication channel through Oman was used to attempt to revive the agreement, but at the current moment, this format has been repurposed exclusively for emergency communication on security issues. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Tehran responds to Vance's remarks on negotiations](https://news.rambler.ru/world/56881023-v-tegerane-otvetili-na-vyskazyvaniya-vensa-o-peregovorah/) - Подтверждает цитату Аракчи и контекст опровержения переговоров. - [Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz: Tehran puts forward six conditions to the US](https://ru.euronews.com/2026/08/08/iran-ne-otkryvaet-ormuz-tegeran-vydvinul-ssha-shest-uslovij) - Подтверждено по источнику ru.euronews.com - [Iran is not currently negotiating with the US, Tehran states](https://www.nur.kz/world/2410226-iran-seychas-ne-vedet-peregovorov-s-ssha-zayavili-v-tegerane/) - Подтверждает дату и суть заявления о разграничении понятий. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Is Iran currently negotiating with the US? **A:** No, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araqchi officially stated that direct negotiations are not taking place. ### Q: How is communication between the countries carried out then? **A:** The parties exchange messages through intermediaries, in particular through the Sultanate of Oman. ### Q: Why is it important to distinguish between the concepts of "negotiations" and "exchange of messages"? **A:** This is a diplomatic position that allows for dialogue to prevent conflicts without violating internal political taboos.