Iran Claims US is Greatly Mistaken in Using Negotiations to Dictate
The Iranian government has accused the United States of mistakenly viewing negotiations as an opportunity to dictate terms, asserting that such an approach will not succeed against Tehran.
“America has misunderstood the concept of negotiation as an act of dictating, something that clearly will not work against Iran,” said Esmaile Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference on Tuesday.
Baqaei accused Washington of acting in “bad faith” and lacking a clear direction in its approach towards Iran. He assessed that the US has become trapped in what he described as a strategic error.
“As long as they act in this manner, they will certainly achieve nothing more than what they have achieved so far,” he stated.
Responding to recent US actions regarding Kharg Island in Iran, Baqaei stated that Washington has repeatedly engaged in actions deemed by Tehran to be aggression. He warned that Iranian forces would respond to any further attacks.
He also accused the US of violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which he claimed was signed at the highest level by President Donald Trump. He added that Washington had agreed to a number of commitments based on the agreement but decided to breach them approximately three weeks after signing.
Furthermore, Baqaei stated that Tehran would determine its next steps regarding the agreement based on developing situations. He also accused Washington of continuing to impose sanctions and maritime blockades, as well as intensifying what he termed an economic war against Iran. Nevertheless, Baqaei maintained that Iran would continue to utilise diplomacy where necessary to protect its national interests.
“We will certainly, considering all aspects, use the capabilities and instruments of diplomacy if necessary, both to explain our position and to ensure and defend the rights of the Iranian people,” he said.
He also noted that Iran maintains regular contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but denied that there are currently new negotiations between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog.
Baqaui reaffirmed Tehran’s position that there is no nuclear activity at the Kuh-e Kolang site, following recent statements by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi that there was no strong evidence to support allegations of nuclear activity at that location.