Iran urges US not to let Israel shape Washington's foreign policy

TABNAK, Feb. 10 - The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson advised the US to make independent decisions in its foreign policy and not allow other actors to shape its approach toward Iran, despite pressures that he said run counter to regional stability and even US interests.

News ID: 7157

Date: 10 February 2026 - 13:18

In comments at a weekly press conference on Tuesday, Esmaeil Baqaei commented on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States and discussions held there about Iran.

He said Iran’s negotiating party in the most recent round of nuclear talks in Oman was the US and that Washington bore responsibility for deciding independently, despite pressures that harm the region and disregard American interests.

One of Washington’s major problems was its compliance with the demands of the Zionist regime, Baqaei said.

Referring to the nuclear issue, the spokesman said it was clear to everyone that the root of portraying Iran’s peaceful nuclear program as an artificial crisis lay with the Zionist regime, which had continuously promoted the claim that Iran was seeking a nuclear bomb.

The Israeli regime has shown itself to be a disruptive actor opposed to any diplomatic process, he added, stressing that it is the responsibility of US officials to ensure that others do not make decisions for US foreign policy.

Asked about the role and presence of regional countries in the nuclear negotiations, the spokesperson said Iran first thanks all regional states for their goodwill and constructive efforts. He noted that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in consultations with his counterparts, has expressed appreciation to all countries concerned about regional peace and security and those that have helped reduce tensions in the region.

Baqaei said the reality is that there has never been a plan to hold the meeting anywhere other than Oman. He explained that all regional countries that have assisted were ready to host the talks and were appreciated for that readiness. However, he said that for various reasons — including the fact that Iran is a negotiating party and has prior experience with the Oman talks — it was decided that the negotiations be held in Muscat, the same place where the US had destroyed the negotiating table in June 2025.

The most recent round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States was held in Muscat on February 6 with Oman mediating the talks.

Araqchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff represented Tehran and Washington in the talks.