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diplomacyMay 15, 2026

‘We never wanted nuclear weapons’: Iran FM says ceasefire is shaky, talks hit by lack of trust

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Business News›News›International›World News›‘We never wanted nuclear weapons’: Iran FM says ceasefire is shaky, talks hit by lack of trust ‘We never wanted nuclear weapons’: Iran FM says ceasefire is shaky, talks hit by lack of trust At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026, Abbas Araghchi made a series of powerful statements on the US, nuclear policy, ceasefire negotiations and diplomacy amid escalating West Asia tensions. In this compilation, Araghchi says Iran never wanted nuclear weapons, describes the current ceasefire as “shaky,” accuses the US of sending contradictory signals during negotiations and reiterates that Tehran has “every reason not to trust Americans.”Show more - 09:41 - 08:53 - 08:20 - 09:05 - 09:29 - 08:28 - 12:55 - 13:50 - 10:24 - 09:20 - 08:02 - 09:09 - 08:25 - 10:17 - 08:14 - 12:00 - 10:25 - 11:59 - 08:55 - 08:35 - 10:30 - 09:07 - 13:14 - 12:18 - 10:21 - 02:57 - 10:13 - 09:20 - 08:56 - 08:30 - 08:41 - 13:58 - 13:14

Perspectives

Iranian Official

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed at the BRICS meeting that the Islamic Republic has never sought nuclear weapons, underscoring its sovereign right to peaceful nuclear technology amid relentless foreign aggression. He described the fragile ceasefire as undermined by Western powers' contradictory signals and bad-faith diplomacy, stressing Iran's justified distrust rooted in repeated violations of its sovereignty. Tehran remains committed to resistance against external interference while pursuing dignified negotiations on its own terms.

Israeli

Iran's foreign minister's denial of nuclear ambitions at the BRICS meeting masks Tehran's ongoing drive for weapons that represent an existential threat to Israel's survival. Backed by its proxy networks across Lebanon, Gaza, and beyond, the regime exploits shaky ceasefires and feigned distrust of U.S. diplomacy to advance its aggressive posture. Israel's defensive actions remain vital to deter these coordinated threats from a regime that cannot be trusted.

Neutral

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026 that Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons. He described a current ceasefire as shaky, citing contradictory U.S. signals during talks and a lack of trust in American positions. The comments were made against a backdrop of reported tensions in West Asia.

Western

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's assertions at the BRICS meeting that Tehran never pursued nuclear weapons contrast with persistent Western assessments of Iran's proliferation risks, which necessitate continued precision strikes and containment strategies to neutralize the threat. The shaky ceasefire in West Asia highlights Iran's role in regional instability, compounded by its lack of credibility in negotiations marked by contradictory signals and longstanding distrust of U.S. commitments. NATO-aligned efforts remain focused on verifiable denuclearization and strategic deterrence to prevent escalation.

Pro-Peace

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated at the BRICS meeting that Tehran has never sought nuclear weapons, yet described the current ceasefire as dangerously unstable amid eroded trust in U.S. diplomacy. Such fragile pauses in fighting prolong the immense civilian toll—displacement, casualties, and humanitarian collapse—across West Asia’s conflict zones. Renewed, good-faith negotiations remain the only viable path to spare further lives and end the cycle of destruction.

Global South

At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s sovereign refusal of nuclear weapons while condemning the fragile ceasefire and stalled talks as direct results of US contradictory signals and eroded trust. These tensions expose persistent neo-colonial interference by Washington in West Asia, where broken diplomatic assurances undermine national sovereignty and multilateral efforts by Global South states.

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  • ET OnlineBy ET Online

    Business News›News›International›World News›‘We never wanted nuclear weapons’: Iran FM says ceasefire is shaky, talks hit by lack of trust ‘We never wanted nuclear weapons’: Iran FM says ceasefire is shaky, talks hit by lack of trust At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026,

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diplomacyUnverifiedUSIran
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BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Aksel Kibar on X.com Previously, Cointelegraph reported that underwater investors were contributing to Bitcoin’s inability to break higher. Its rebound to $64,500 also stopped short of an overhead trend line, the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA).

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Location: Strait of Hormuz
diplomacyUnverifiedUSIran
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Trump says no talks underway with Iran, Hormuz blockade remains in place US president says no discussions are taking place or planned with Tehran and reiterates that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that no talks are taking place with Iran and that no discussions are currently scheduled between the two countries.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains "in full force and effect." The president did not provide further details regarding US policy towards Iran or any potential future diplomatic engagement.

Trump's comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed focus on security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

Location: Tehran
diplomacyUnverifiedUSIran
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran had “won both the war and diplomacy,” claiming those who initially sought Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” later sought negotiations. Speaking at an event, Araghchi said Iran resisted for days against what he described as “the world’s largest apparent military,” alongside another army claiming military power and with the support of nearly all Western countries and some other states inside and outside the region, according to the Tasnim news agency.

“Those who were seeking unconditional surrender, shortly after the war began, begged for negotiations,” Araghchi said. He claimed Tehran initially rejected a ceasefire and continued fighting until reaching a point where the other side accepted a ceasefire and negotiations “on Iran’s terms.

” “We fought with strength, and we negotiated with strength,” he said, adding that many foreign ministers had told him: “You won both the war and diplomacy.” Araghchi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump called on Iran on Monday to give up and “raise the white flag.

Location: Tehran
diplomacyUnverifiedUSIran
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- Iran demands US lift sanctions and return frozen assets to reopen Strait of Hormuz - Iran's Parliament Speaker warns closure of Strait continues until US ends military threats - Around 20% of global oil supply passes through the Strait, impacting energy security Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets a set of conditions, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, an end to oil sanctions and what Tehran describes as a US blockade and military threats.

Al-Arabiya English reported that Iran's Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Trump administration must meet the conditions before Tehran considers reopening the strategic waterway. “Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed,” Ghalibaf said.

Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/fl2RrKnT1R— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) August 18, 2026 Ghalibaf also warned that Iran was prepared to respond more forcefully depending on the actions of its adversaries.

ALSO READ: 'We Control Hormuz': Trump To Declare Strait As US Territory? Here's What President Says The comments add a new condition to an already fragile diplomatic environment, with the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of concerns over global energy supplies.

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The talks are expected to cover regional developments and bilateral cooperation, including border security, counterterrorism, economic ties and implementation of existing agreements. Iraqi media have also reported that the agenda could include a proposal concerning Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The visit comes as regional governments grapple with the implications of continued disruption in one of the world's most important energy corridors. ALSO READ: Hormuz Tensions: Another Ship Hit By Unknown Projectile, Says UKMTO Centre The security situation in the waterway has also remained tense.

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Location: Tehran