Iran accuses US of making excessive demands in peace talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a series of U.S. failures to honour commitments have been a source of disruption in the peace talks mediated by Pakistan, and accused Washington of making ‘excessive demands’ in the negotiations. The remarks, reported by Press TV and AFP, were made on Saturday 23 May 2026, during a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday 22 May local time.
Araghchi, in the talk with Guterres, said that Iran remained engaged in the diplomatic process despite a ‘history of failures’ by the United States.
He cited the most conspicuous examples of that ‘history of failures’, including ’repeated betrayals of diplomacy and military aggression against Iran, as well as contradictory positions and repeated excessive demands by the US.
Together with its ally Israel, the US launched attacks on Iran in June 2025 and on 28 February this year. Both attacks occurred while Washington was involved in a diplomatic process with Tehran.
The negotiations between Iran and the US have also been marked by many cases, in which Washington shifts between various positions or confronts Tehran with maximalist demands such as the termination of the nuclear programme and a review of the ballistic missile programme.
Araghchi emphasised that, although highly distrustful of the US, Iran has re-entered the diplomatic process seriously and with a responsible approach, striving to achieve a fair and just outcome.
Guterres, in his statement to Araghchi, asserted rejection of the use of violence against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The UN Secretary-General also stressed the need to respect the principles of the UN Charter and to pursue diplomatic avenues to build peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military chief, General Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Friday 22 May to meet Araghchi and push for peace efforts. The meeting, according to IRNA, lasted late into the night, discussing ‘the latest diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at preventing further escalation’.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, in a statement, warned that the visit did not mean ‘we have reached a turning point or a decisive situation’ as differences remain. He also said Tehran could not yet say whether a deal with Washington was close. ‘The process is ongoing. I have previously said that the differences between Iran and the United States are very deep and wide, especially after the crimes they have committed over the last two or three months,’ Baghaei said. However, Baghaei emphasised that the visit by senior Pakistani officials to Tehran indicates that they have reached an important milestone.