January 28, 2026
“There has been no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days, and we have not requested talks,” Araghchi said, as quoted by Iran’s Fars News Agency, rejecting claims by US President Donald Trump that Tehran had repeatedly reached out seeking negotiations.
Trump told Axios on Tuesday that another US “armada” was moving toward Iran, claiming that Tehran was seeking a diplomatic deal with Washington. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” Trump said.
Araghchi countered that while several countries were acting as intermediaries and remained in contact with Iran, Tehran’s position had not changed. He warned that negotiations conducted under threats and pressure could not succeed and urged Washington to abandon what he described as excessive demands and intimidation.
Israeli Spy
As tensions escalated, Iranian authorities announced the execution of Hamid Reza Thabet Esmailipour, who was arrested in April 2025 and convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel’s Mossad.
Iran’s Mizan news agency said the execution was carried out by hanging following confirmation of the sentence by the Supreme Court and in accordance with legal procedures.
Executions of individuals accused of spying for Israel have increased sharply since last year, following direct confrontations between Iran, Israel, and the US, including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command confirmed the deployment of a powerful naval strike force to the Middle East, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, though its precise location was not disclosed.
The buildup adds roughly 5,700 US troops to the region, bringing total American troop strength to approximately 50,000.
Trump has not ruled out further military action against Iran, citing the government’s crackdown on protests, which rights groups say has resulted in thousands of deaths. At the same time, Trump suggested Tehran was still seeking dialogue, pointing to what he described as a pause in planned executions.
Iran: Full Control of Strait of Hormuz
Amid mounting threats of war, Iran asserted it maintains “complete control” over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway critical to global energy supplies.
“Iran is not seeking war, but it is fully prepared,” said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander. “If war breaks out, there will be no retreat, not even by a millimeter.”
Akbarzadeh said Iran’s management of the strait now relies on advanced, integrated systems providing constant oversight of maritime, surface, and underwater movements. He warned that any neighboring country allowing its territory, airspace, or waters to be used against Iran would be treated as hostile.
The Strait of Hormuz accounts for roughly one-third of the world’s seaborne crude oil shipments and one-fifth of global oil consumption, as well as nearly 20 percent of global LNG trade, with most exports heading to Asian markets, particularly China.
US ‘Armada’
Washington’s latest military buildup includes the deployment of advanced naval and air assets aimed at closing what US officials described as a readiness gap earlier this month.
The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, now operating in the Arabian Sea, is accompanied by guided-missile destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and supported by nuclear-powered attack submarines. The carrier’s air wing includes F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 Super Hornets, and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
The US Air Force has also redeployed up to a dozen F-15E Strike Eagle jets to Jordan, alongside aerial refueling tankers, surveillance drones, and reconnaissance aircraft operating from bases in Qatar and the UAE. Additional missile defense systems, including THAAD and Patriot batteries, have been positioned across Israel and the Gulf states.
A new air and missile defense coordination cell was also established at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to enhance regional defense integration against potential Iranian retaliation.
Regional Mediation Efforts Intensify
As military tensions rise, regional powers have stepped in to prevent escalation. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls with Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, urging restraint, de-escalation, and a return to diplomatic solutions.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also reaffirmed Doha’s support for de-escalation efforts during a call with Araghchi, emphasizing the need for political solutions to preserve regional stability.
Iranian officials acknowledged ongoing contacts with mediating states but reiterated that there had been no direct communication with Witkoff in recent days. Araghchi said there was a regional consensus that further instability would lead to severe consequences for all parties.
In June last year, Israel—backed by the US—launched a 12-day war against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, before a ceasefire was declared.
Iran denied recent contact with
the US as Washington deployed major military assets, Tehran carried out
executions, and regional powers pushed for de-escalation amid mounting war
fears.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi denied on Wednesday that Tehran had engaged in recent contacts with
the United States, as fears grow of a possible US military strike.
“There has been no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days, and we have not requested talks,” Araghchi said, as quoted by Iran’s Fars News Agency, rejecting claims by US President Donald Trump that Tehran had repeatedly reached out seeking negotiations.
Trump told Axios on Tuesday that another US “armada” was moving toward Iran, claiming that Tehran was seeking a diplomatic deal with Washington. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” Trump said.
Araghchi countered that while several countries were acting as intermediaries and remained in contact with Iran, Tehran’s position had not changed. He warned that negotiations conducted under threats and pressure could not succeed and urged Washington to abandon what he described as excessive demands and intimidation.
Israeli Spy
As tensions escalated, Iranian authorities announced the execution of Hamid Reza Thabet Esmailipour, who was arrested in April 2025 and convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel’s Mossad.
Iran’s Mizan news agency said the execution was carried out by hanging following confirmation of the sentence by the Supreme Court and in accordance with legal procedures.
Executions of individuals accused of spying for Israel have increased sharply since last year, following direct confrontations between Iran, Israel, and the US, including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command confirmed the deployment of a powerful naval strike force to the Middle East, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, though its precise location was not disclosed.
The buildup adds roughly 5,700 US troops to the region, bringing total American troop strength to approximately 50,000.
Trump has not ruled out further military action against Iran, citing the government’s crackdown on protests, which rights groups say has resulted in thousands of deaths. At the same time, Trump suggested Tehran was still seeking dialogue, pointing to what he described as a pause in planned executions.
Iran: Full Control of Strait of Hormuz
Amid mounting threats of war, Iran asserted it maintains “complete control” over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway critical to global energy supplies.
“Iran is not seeking war, but it is fully prepared,” said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander. “If war breaks out, there will be no retreat, not even by a millimeter.”
Akbarzadeh said Iran’s management of the strait now relies on advanced, integrated systems providing constant oversight of maritime, surface, and underwater movements. He warned that any neighboring country allowing its territory, airspace, or waters to be used against Iran would be treated as hostile.
The Strait of Hormuz accounts for roughly one-third of the world’s seaborne crude oil shipments and one-fifth of global oil consumption, as well as nearly 20 percent of global LNG trade, with most exports heading to Asian markets, particularly China.
US ‘Armada’
Washington’s latest military buildup includes the deployment of advanced naval and air assets aimed at closing what US officials described as a readiness gap earlier this month.
The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, now operating in the Arabian Sea, is accompanied by guided-missile destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and supported by nuclear-powered attack submarines. The carrier’s air wing includes F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 Super Hornets, and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
The US Air Force has also redeployed up to a dozen F-15E Strike Eagle jets to Jordan, alongside aerial refueling tankers, surveillance drones, and reconnaissance aircraft operating from bases in Qatar and the UAE. Additional missile defense systems, including THAAD and Patriot batteries, have been positioned across Israel and the Gulf states.
A new air and missile defense coordination cell was also established at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to enhance regional defense integration against potential Iranian retaliation.
Regional Mediation Efforts Intensify
As military tensions rise, regional powers have stepped in to prevent escalation. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls with Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, urging restraint, de-escalation, and a return to diplomatic solutions.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also reaffirmed Doha’s support for de-escalation efforts during a call with Araghchi, emphasizing the need for political solutions to preserve regional stability.
Iranian officials acknowledged ongoing contacts with mediating states but reiterated that there had been no direct communication with Witkoff in recent days. Araghchi said there was a regional consensus that further instability would lead to severe consequences for all parties.
In June last year, Israel—backed by the US—launched a 12-day war against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, before a ceasefire was declared.
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