Tehran:Iran has accused the United States of not being serious about negotiations, claiming that Washington has consistently confused diplomacy with imposing demands on Tehran. This assertion was made by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a weekly news conference.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Baqaei criticized the US for making false claims, referencing US President Donald Trump's support for negotiations before military attacks on Iran in June 2025. He questioned the goodwill of the US approach and stated that Tehran had not received any new European proposal for negotiations beyond a political statement. Baqaei also criticized Britain, France, and Germany for aligning with Washington on the restoration of UN sanctions and not condemning military actions against Iran.
Baqaei reiterated that Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons, accusing the US of using allegations about Tehran's nuclear program to justify military actions. He mentioned that Iran had negotiated in good faith by signing the 2015 nuclear agreement, from which the US withdrew three years later. The spokesman accused the US of being influenced by Israeli claims about Iran's nuclear program.
Regarding missing Iranian pilots, Baqaei held Qatar responsible for clarifying the fate of three Iranian pilots whose aircraft were hit in the Gulf. He mentioned ongoing coordination with military leadership and legal discussions with Qatar, which recently sent a delegation to Tehran to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional mediation efforts.
Baqaei also commented on Israel's upcoming elections, accusing Israeli politicians of competing to commit more crimes. He confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian would travel to Russia for a summit of gas-exporting countries, aiming to strengthen energy cooperation with Moscow.
The spokesman addressed border-related issues with Pakistan and Iraq, noting positive progress with Islamabad and ongoing diplomatic efforts with Baghdad. He also expressed concerns to the Italian ambassador about the handling of protests in European countries.
On the conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Baqaei emphasized the interconnectedness of regional security and reiterated Tehran's readiness to facilitate a settlement. He criticized military approaches for complicating issues and causing damage.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have persisted since military attacks on Iran by the US and Israel on February 28, which disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding was signed on June 18 to end hostilities, but disagreements over its implementation continue to hinder diplomatic efforts. Iran insists on the US taking specific steps to restore security to the Strait of Hormuz as central to negotiations.