Sri Lanka, March 26 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly denied that any negotiations are taking place between Tehran and Washington to end the ongoing conflict, dismissing US claims of diplomatic engagement as posturing.

No direct talks

"There are no ongoing talks with the US," Araghchi said in comments carried by state-run Press TV. He clarified that while Washington is sending messages through various mediators, "exchange of messages via mediators does not mean negotiations." The distinction suggests Iran is rejecting the notion of formal diplomatic engagement despite reported back-channel communications.

Accusation of weakness

Araghchi characterized US talk about negotiations with Iran as "an admission of defeat."...