Beyza Binnur Dönmez
26 January 2026•Update: 26 January 2026
GENEVA
Iran's ambassador to the UN in Geneva said Monday exchanges of messages between Iran and the US are ongoing but cannot yet be described as real negotiations, stressing that Tehran remains open to dialogue if Washington shows genuine willingness.
"Exchange of messages has not stopped between Iran and the United States; there have been different exchanges of messages by our officials, directly or through mediators, but ... it is difficult to name it as a real negotiation, but the exchanges of views exist, and we are ready for any genuine discussion and negotiation if the other side decides to have such kind of negotiation with us," Ali Bahreini said in response to Anadolu's question during his talk to a small group of media in Geneva.
He said Tehran does not seek confrontation but will not shy away from it if imposed.
The envoy said Iran had engaged in "dialogue and negotiation" with the US before the 12-day war with Israel and was "at the table of negotiations," but that Washington "destroyed" the process by encouraging and allowing Israel to attack Iran, as well as taking part in the attack. He stressed, "It was not Iran who left the table."
Bahreini said that despite those developments, Iran has remained ready for "any kind of dialogue and negotiation" as long as it is based on "mutual interest," "mutual respect," and recognition of the "dignity of all parties."
He added that if negotiations are used as a tool to impose one side's will on the other, such talks "cannot be named or labeled as negotiation," adding that Iran does not accept such an approach.
According to the envoy, "the main requirement for a discussion and negotiation" is respect for the dignity and rights of all parties, including Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear technology.
He stressed that the red line is any kind of aggression toward Iran and the country is ready against it.
Addressing the broader regional situation, Bahreini questioned what he described as a double standard in the international response to Israel, asking why there have been no sanctions, expulsions, or special UN sessions targeting Israel over two years of violence in Gaza and the occupied territories, while similar measures are frequently directed at Iran.
Regarding the internet restriction, the envoy said full internet access should be restored "very soon" with "no restriction," adding that the economy "depends on it."
Bahreini concluded by saying "violence and terrorist activities" have stopped "at this stage," but warned that this does not guarantee they will not recur.
Tensions between Iran and the US have remained high amid regional conflicts, sanctions, and military posturing, with intermittent indirect contacts but no formal negotiations underway.
Iran has repeatedly said it will not engage in talks under pressure, while US officials have signaled conditional openness to diplomacy, keeping the prospects of near-term negotiations uncertain.
Tensions have escalated between the US and Iran following the recent protests in Iran, which turned violent and resulted in more than 3,000 fatalities, according to the Iranian government.
At the peak of the protests earlier this month, Trump warned the Iranian government that he would “come to the rescue” of protesters if lethal force was used against them.
Days later, he encouraged protesters to “keep protesting” and to “take over institutions,” noting that “help was on its way.” He also warned that it was time for a change in leadership, which many in Iran construed as a threat against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
More recently, on Saturday, the US president announced that an American “armada” is heading towards the Middle East and that the US is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, confirming reports that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and some guided-missile destroyers are set to arrive in the region in the coming days.
His remarks sparked sharp reactions from Iranian political and military leadership, who warned of a strong response in the event of any attack against the country.
