Iran Awaits US Attitude Change to Resume Peace Talks

Tehran - Iran has no plans to hold negotiations with the United States until Washington changes its approach, Fars news agency reported on Saturday, citing a source close to Iran’s negotiating team. “Iran has not requested talks with the United States, and there will be no negotiations until the United States changes its attitude,” the source said. Fars did not elaborate on what specific change in attitude Tehran expects from Washington. Meanwhile, Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing an American official, reported that Washington is demanding Iran acknowledge the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping and commit to halting attacks on commercial vessels by Saturday at the latest. Amid these reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman for talks on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday, US forces launched a series of strikes against Iran. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed the move was in retaliation for Iran’s actions against commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, meanwhile, reported launching retaliatory strikes against US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Tehran also accused Washington of violating a memorandum of understanding on the cessation of hostilities. US President Donald Trump also stated that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is no longer in effect. Reuters reported on Friday, citing a US official, that an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme would require Tehran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Should it fail to do so, the United States is said to have a military option to ensure the uranium stockpile remains buried underground.