Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the U.S. that the final nuclear deal will not commence if threats against the country continue.

These statements signal a hardening of Tehran's diplomatic posture as it attempts to balance nuclear negotiations with internal stability. By linking the nuclear agreement to U.S. behavior and internal interference, Iran is utilizing its nuclear leverage to deter foreign intervention.

During a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Tehran, Araghchi said that the United States must stop its threats, otherwise the final nuclear deal will not start. He said that the nuclear dispute cannot be settled through force, saying, "There is no such thing as a military solution to the nuclear issue."

The foreign minister also addressed the risk of armed conflict. In an interview on Jan. 12, 2026 [1], Araghchi said Iran is fully prepared for war if outsiders interfere in the protests within the country.

Araghchi's warnings extended to Israel, where he cautioned against threats directed toward Iran's leader. These remarks follow a period of heightened tension, including Iran's condemnation of the resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing.

The Iranian government maintains that its nuclear program remains a point of negotiation, but only under conditions where external pressures are removed. Araghchi's rhetoric suggests that the path to a finalized agreement is contingent upon a cessation of both military threats, and political interference.

“"There is no such thing as a military solution to the nuclear issue,"”

Tehran is explicitly tying the completion of its nuclear diplomacy to the cessation of U.S. and Israeli pressure. By threatening to stall the final deal and declaring a readiness for war over internal protests, Iran is attempting to create a strategic deterrent against regime-change efforts and military strikes, effectively using the nuclear deal as a bargaining chip for political sovereignty.