Iran says no arrangement for resuming nuclear talks with US

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that no arrangement or commitment had been made to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, amid heightened tensions following attacks by Israel and the United States on the Iranian territory.

In an interview with state broadcaster IRIB, Araghchi said the possibility of restarting talks was under consideration but would depend on whether Tehran's national interests were protected.

"Our decisions will be based solely on Iran's interests," he said. "If our interests require a return to negotiations, we will consider it. But at this stage, no agreement or promise has been made and no talks have taken place."

Araghchi accused Washington of betraying Iran during previous rounds of negotiations on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal and lifting U.S. sanctions.

The Iranian diplomat also confirmed that a law suspending cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog had become binding after being passed by parliament and approved by the Guardian Council, a top constitutional oversight body.

"The law is now obligatory and will be implemented. Our cooperation with the IAEA will take a new shape," he said.

Araghchi also said the damage caused by the 12-day war with Israel was "serious" and that experts from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran were conducting a detailed assessment. He said the question of demanding reparations was high on the government's agenda.

The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple targets across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, killing several senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The attacks came just days before Iran and the United States were expected to resume indirect nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman, on June 15.

In response, Iran launched waves of missile and drone strikes on Israel, causing casualties and damage.

On Saturday, the U.S. Air Force struck three key Iranian nuclear sites. In retaliation, Iran fired missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday.

The 12-day conflict ended with a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on Tuesday.

Iran says no arrangement for resuming nuclear talks with US

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle