WANA (Aug 01) – Following remarks from Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, demanding compensation from the United States prior to resuming nuclear negotiations, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott has rejected the request as “ridiculous,” while reaffirming Washington’s willingness to engage in talks with Tehran.

 

The demand comes in the wake of a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, during which the United States, under the orders of President Donald Trump, reportedly launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, causing significant damage. Despite this, Pigott dismissed the idea of compensating Iran.

 

During a press briefing, a journalist from Japan asked Pigott about Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s statement, in which he insisted that the U.S. must agree to pay compensation for the attacks on Iranian nuclear sites before any further negotiations.

 

Pigott responded, “What I can say is that any demand for financial compensation from the United States to the Iranian regime is absurd.” He refrained from acknowledging any wrongdoing on the part of the U.S. in the recent military actions.

 

Continuing his remarks, Pigott accused Iran of destabilizing behavior: “If the Iranian regime genuinely wants to reduce costs or ease the pressure of sanctions, they should end their destabilizing activities. They must stop wasting resources on their nuclear program, cease funding terrorist death squads across the region, and stop suppressing their own people.”

 

Despite these sharp criticisms, Pigott added that the U.S. remains open to dialogue. “Let me emphasize, the United States is ready to talk to Iran. But Iran has limited time, and now the ball is in their court. We are waiting to see what they decide.”

 

These comments follow recent indirect negotiations between Araghchi and U.S. representative Steve Witkoff. The talks were interrupted when Israeli forces launched a strike inside Iranian territory, with the U.S. also conducting airstrikes under Trump’s directive.

 

Contrary to repeated claims by Trump that the strikes had incapacitated Iran’s nuclear program, Iranian officials have stated that their nuclear activities continue unabated. Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s position: “As long as Trump insists on the total cessation of uranium enrichment, no agreement will be possible.”

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Steve Witkoff, the head of the U.S. negotiation team. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Steve Witkoff, the head of the U.S. negotiation team. Social media/ WANA News Agency