Tehran Makes Its Position Clear: No Talks with Washington, Hormuz Negotiations Continue
Al-Taj News –
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that negotiations with the United States have not begun due to what he described as Washington’s violation of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides, stressing that Tehran does not make decisions under pressure from deadlines or ultimatums.
Baghaei explained that the deadline stipulated in the memorandum was intended for negotiations on lifting sanctions and the nuclear issue, denying that it set a 60-day deadline and accusing the United States of breaching its provisions just weeks after it was signed.
He said Pakistan and Qatar are making efforts to ease tensions and that there is no other mediator, noting that communications with Doha are continuing and that it is playing a role in de-escalation efforts.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesman confirmed that negotiations with Oman are continuing to work on a mechanism to ensure safe navigation, holding what he described as the “illegal” US actions responsible for the lack of security in the strait.
Baghaei added that a “sabotage effort” by some parties had contributed to prolonging the negotiations, stressing that “Iran’s resilience has thwarted the enemies’ calculations.” He also said that Tehran has been following the fate of the pilots in Qatar since the early days, considering their case a “serious and important” demand.
The 60-day deadline set by the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to reach a final agreement between Iran and the United States expires on Monday, August 17, without resulting in the resumption of direct negotiations or an agreement to extend it, amid continued disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade of Iran.
Tehran and Washington signed the 14-point memorandum of understanding on June 18. It called for ending the war and reaching a final agreement within 60 days, extendable by mutual consent, in addition to gradually lifting the US naval blockade, ensuring the passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, granting exemptions for Iranian oil exports, and releasing frozen Iranian funds.
