Iran Denies Ongoing Talks with the United States

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Iran said it is not currently conducting any negotiations with the United States, and that any future talks will depend on a change in Washington’s attitude.

At a press conference on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei denied reports that Tehran had requested negotiations with the US.

“That is not in line with our principles. The claim that Iran asked for negotiations is merely a report,” Baqaei said, as quoted by the semi-official Mehr news agency.

He said Iran has consistently viewed diplomacy as a tool for protecting its national interests.

“We have never hesitated to use diplomatic instruments to protect our national interests. We regard diplomacy as a means to safeguard Iran’s national interests,” he said.

While acknowledging that mediators may have relayed messages between the two parties, Baqaei said Iran is not currently holding any negotiations with the American side.

When asked about Iran’s conditions for starting negotiations, Baqaei said the US must first demonstrate more responsible behaviour.

“The United States must learn how to act like a responsible government,” he said.

He also accused Washington of behaving “like a mafia group” over the past one to two years by disregarding international law.

“As long as this behaviour continues, we cannot hope for a conducive public atmosphere,” he added.

On Sunday, Iranian military spokesman Amir Mohammad Akraminia said the US had halted its attacks over the previous two days and that “Iran’s counter-operations have also stopped.”

According to a report by Axios on Saturday, US President Donald Trump had ordered the US military not to launch new attacks on Iran, ending nearly two weeks of daily strikes.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks, with Washington carrying out attacks on Iran and Tehran responding by targeting what it described as US military facilities and equipment in several countries in the region.

Source: Anadolu