Iran Confirms No Negotiations with US in the Near Future

Iran on Monday confirmed that no negotiations with the United States are scheduled at any level in the coming days and stressed that its priority is the implementation of a memorandum of understanding regarding the cessation of war. Foreign Ministry spokesman and negotiating team spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters that the Iranian government is currently focused on ensuring the implementation of the provisions in the memorandum and is seriously pursuing the fulfilment of its demands, as reported by the state news agency IRNA. Baqaei said the United States has issued the necessary licences under Article 10 of the memorandum related to oil sales, and Iran continues to monitor its implementation. Regarding Article 11, which governs the release of Iran’s frozen assets, he said the implementation process is also underway. An Iranian expert delegation is scheduled to depart for Doha at the end of this week to follow up on the matter. Baqaei added that Iran has not yet entered the negotiation stage regarding a final agreement. According to him, Article 13 of the memorandum stipulates that talks on a comprehensive agreement can only begin after Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 have been implemented and their execution continues. The spokesman also denied reports of a possible meeting with senior US officials in Doha during the Iranian delegation’s visit. According to him, if there is a visit by US officials to Qatar, it will not be related to Iran’s technical mission. There will be no negotiating meeting with the American side at any level in the next few days, he said. The 14-point Islamabad memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States came into effect on 18 June after being electronically signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, following weeks of regional tension triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Under the memorandum, Article 1 provides for a ceasefire and the cessation of military operations, Article 4 addresses the Lebanon front and provides for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, while Article 5 governs temporary navigation and security coordination in the Strait of Hormuz. Articles 10 and 11 respectively govern Iranian oil exports and access to Iran’s frozen assets.