Iran Refuses Negotiations After US Strikes, Focuses on National Defence

Iran has responded to a new wave of strikes launched by the United States, stating it has no plans to negotiate with Washington. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday that the country is currently focused on national defence following the US attacks on Tehran.

“At this time, we have no plans to negotiate and remain focused on national defence,” Baghaei said. He stressed that Iran would not comply with any agreement if the US violated its obligations, adding that he believed the United States had disregarded the ceasefire from the outset. “This is a principle, and we will continue to adhere to it,” Baghaei stated.

Baghaei added that Iran would only honour its international commitments if the US did the same. He noted that Iran had cancelled its commitments under a Memorandum of Understanding after the US failed to meet its obligations in the interim agreement. “Our commitments remain valid only as long as the other party fulfils its promises,” he said. “After the other party violated its obligations, we also refrained from implementing our obligations in any required area.”

The US military earlier stated it had completed a series of 90-minute strikes against Iran. The latest wave targeted coastal defence systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island. “The strikes further degrade Iran’s ability to attack merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” US Central Command said. Greater Tunb is one of several small islands near the western entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, previously described by a researcher as an Iranian “defence fortress.” The strikes began at 6:00 a.m. local time and concluded by 7:30 a.m., according to the US military. Meanwhile, Iran’s Health Ministry reported that more than 260 people were injured in the recent US attacks, including at least three women and six children.