TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that there are currently no plans for a second round of negotiations with the United States.
Speaking at a press conference, Baghaei stated that the US was not serious about pursuing diplomacy, citing what he described as violations of a two-week ceasefire.
“While claiming diplomacy and readiness for negotiations, the US is carrying out behaviours that do not in any way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process,” he said during a weekly press briefing.
He further alleged that a US attack on an Iranian cargo ship early Monday, a US naval blockade on Iranian ports, and delays in implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon constituted “clear violations of the ceasefire.”
Tehran has refused to engage in new peace talks for now, pointing to the ongoing blockade, threatening rhetoric, Washington’s shifting positions, and what it called “excessive demands.”
Meanwhile, First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref also weighed in on the situation, writing on social media: “One cannot restrict Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others. The choice is clear: either a free oil market for all, or the risk of significant costs for everyone.”
Iran has been at war with Israel and the United States since February 28, when strikes led to the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a wider regional conflict.
Tehran and Washington have since held one round of negotiations, which failed to result in an agreement to end the war. The talks took place against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire that began on April 8.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he had directed American negotiators to travel to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks, although Iran has not confirmed its participation.
“As of now, while I am at your service, we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard,” Baghaei reiterated.
Key sticking points in the discussions include Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has largely remained closed since the outbreak of the war.
“Regarding the issue of transferring enriched uranium, neither during this period of negotiations nor before has transferring it to the United States been discussed,” Baghaei said.
“It was never raised as an option for us,” he added.