Iran FM says US willing to continue talks, open to China's help

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday he had received messages from the United States expressing willingness to continue nuclear talks, and that Iran would welcome any Chinese assistance to help end the conflict.

Araghchi made the remarks to reporters in New Delhi, where he attended a BRICS meeting.

What did Iran's FM say about US willingness to continue talks?

Araghchi confirmed the US had sent messages indicating it wanted to resume negotiations. "We received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the interaction," he said.

His comments came as diplomacy between Washington and Tehran remained under strain following a failed round of talks in Islamabad in April.

What role is China playing in Iran-US negotiations?

Araghchi said Iran welcomed support from Beijing, citing the two countries' strategic partnership. "We appreciate any country who has the ability to help, particularly China," he said.

He added that anything China could do to advance diplomacy would be welcomed by the Islamic Republic.

His comments followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said Chinese President Xi Jinping had offered to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also said Xi had pledged not to send military equipment to aid Iran in its conflict with the United States and Israel.

China said it had been working to end the conflict since US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

Beijing told AFP there was no justification for the conflict to continue, and that an early resolution would serve the interests of the US, Iran, regional countries and the broader international community.

Has Pakistan's mediation between Iran and the US failed?

Pakistan has served as the primary mediator between Tehran and Washington, but the first round of talks in Islamabad in April ended without any agreement.

Araghchi said the mediation process had not failed outright but was on a difficult course. He attributed the difficulty largely to what he described as American behavior and deep mistrust between the two sides.