NEW DELHI, INDIA May 15, 2026 – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday that deep-seated mistrust between Tehran and Washington continues to obstruct negotiations aimed at ending the recent regional conflict, even as his government has received outreach from the Trump administration.
Speaking to reporters during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, Araghchi emphasized that Iran remains open to diplomacy but only on the condition of a “fair and balanced” win-win agreement.
“So the most important issue right now is the question of trust. We cannot trust Americans at all,” Araghchi said in remarks captured by Al Jazeera. “Everything should be defined very clearly before we can conclude a deal.”
He added that contradictory messages from the US side have fueled reluctance in Tehran: “We are in doubt about their seriousness, but the moment we feel that they are serious and they are ready for a fair and balanced deal, we will certainly proceed in the course of negotiations.”
Araghchi’s comments come as Iran engages with BRICS partners in India, where he has also urged member states to condemn what Tehran describes as US and Israeli “unlawful aggression.” The meetings have highlighted divisions within the expanded bloc, with no joint statement issued due to differing views on the conflict.
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