Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that his country intends to prepare a draft counterproposal regarding its nuclear program to submit to the United States “within two or three days.” This comes after talks that took place with the United States this week regarding this file, at a time when US President Donald Trump indicates that he is considering launching limited military attacks.

Published on: 02/20/2026 - 23:15 Last updated: 02/21/2026 - 11:36

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Friday that his country is preparing a draft counter-proposal within days following nuclear talks with the United States this week.

This comes at a time when US President Donald Trump indicates that he is considering launching limited military attacks.

When Trump was asked whether he was considering launching a limited attack to pressure Iran to conclude an agreement on its nuclear program, he told reporters at the White House, “I think I can say I am considering that.”

Trump was later asked during a press conference at the White House about Iran, and he replied, “It is better for them to negotiate a fair agreement.”

Two American officials told Reuters that the US military's planning regarding Iran has reached an advanced stage, with options including targeting individuals as part of an attack, and even seeking regime change in Tehran if Trump orders it.

Read also: Tension is escalating between Washington and Tehran: Who will prevail... the voice of negotiations or weapons?

Araqchi said in an interview with the American news network MS Now that his counter-proposal may be ready within the next two or three days for review by senior Iranian officials, with the possibility of further talks between the United States and Iran within a week or so.

He said that the military option would only complicate efforts to reach an agreement.

Araqchi had said, following indirect discussions in Geneva on Tuesday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, that the two sides had reached an understanding on the main "guiding principles", but this does not mean that reaching an agreement is imminent.

American deadline is between 10 and 15 days

On Thursday, Trump gave Tehran a deadline of between 10 and 15 days to reach an agreement or face “very bad things,” amid American military reinforcements in the Middle East that raise fears of the outbreak of a broader war.

Araqchi did not specify the date on which Iran would present its corresponding proposal to envoys Witkoff and Kushner, but he expressed his belief that reaching a diplomatic agreement was very close and that it could be concluded “in a very short period of time.”

Meanwhile, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed renewed concerns about escalating rhetoric and increasing military activities in the region.

He said in a regular press conference, "We encourage both the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue diplomatic dialogue to resolve differences."

The United States did not demand a halt to uranium enrichment

Araqchi said in the interview with MS Now that his counter-proposal may be ready within the next two or three days for review by senior Iranian officials, with the possibility of further talks between the United States and Iran within a week or so.

He stressed that Iran did not offer to stop enrichment, saying, "We did not offer any suspension (of uranium enrichment), and the United States did not request a complete halt to enrichment."

He went on to say, "What we are talking about now is how to ensure that Iran's nuclear program, including enrichment, is peaceful and remains peaceful forever."

He stated that "confidence-building measures" would be taken, both technically and politically, to ensure that the program remained peaceful in exchange for some action on sanctions, but he did not provide further details.

The White House said in response to a question about Araqchi’s statements, “The President made clear that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons or the ability to manufacture them, and that it cannot enrich uranium.”

France 24/AFP/Reuters

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