Tehran: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, announced that the 60-day deadline for negotiations with the United States, following the June 17 memorandum of understanding, has "lost its relevance" due to what Iran perceives as "flagrant" violations by the US. Speaking at a weekly news conference, Baqaei emphasized that Iran's policies are not influenced by pressure, ultimatums, or time constraints.
According to Anadolu Agency, Baqaei clarified that the memorandum included a 60-day period for discussions on key issues like "the lifting of sanctions" and "the nuclear issue," with the possibility of extension if no agreement was reached. However, Baqaei criticized the US for its widespread violations, which he claimed led to the cessation of dialogue shortly after the memorandum's signing. As a consequence, the 60-day deadline has become irrelevant.
Baqaei argued that US sanctions have no significant impact on Iran and identified the main obstacle to resolving Tehran-Washington disputes as not the lack of mediators. He acknowledged that countries like Pakistan and Qatar are already involved in facilitating relations between Iran and the US. He also noted that some European countries have expressed their willingness to offer assistance, though this does not imply the emergence or acceptance of a new mediator in Iran-US interactions.
In another development, Baqaei mentioned ongoing negotiations with Oman concerning maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz. These discussions have been prolonged due to security challenges posed by US and Israeli actions, as well as other disruptions. Baqaei outlined that any potential agreement with Oman would involve a roadmap and a joint statement.
Furthermore, Baqaei reiterated Iran's commitment to resolving the issue of the missing Iranian pilots, following an incident in which Qatar shot down two Iranian aircraft in March. Iran reported that four pilots were killed, and while the remains of one pilot have been recovered, the fate of the other three remains unknown. Qatar recently rejected claims of detaining the missing pilots.
The tension between Iran and the US escalated following attacks in February, leading to a ceasefire and the signing of a memorandum aimed at ending military conflict. Despite this, the agreement fell apart last month as both nations engaged in renewed hostilities before US President Donald Trump halted further aggression, aiming to revive the agreement.