Iran has once again ruled out the possibility of engaging in direct negotiations with the United States, saying Washington’s continued use of pressure and threats was fundamentally incompatible with meaningful diplomacy.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks during a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, underscoring Tehran’s unwavering stance on the need for indirect, mediated dialogue in light of longstanding American violations of international norms.
“Direct negotiations are neither useful nor acceptable for Iran,” Baghaei stated, reiterating the Islamic Republic’s principled position.
“As long as the language of pressure and threat exists, direct negotiations will not take place,” he added, stressing that the US’s intimidatory policies had consistently undermined the spirit and letter of the international law.
The official warned that Washington’s simultaneous hostile rhetoric as well as illegal and unilateral sanctions vis-a-vis the Islamic Republic “pave the way for the destruction of international norms.”
He noted that the United Nations Charter explicitly prohibited the use of force in international relations.
‘Pressure and diplomacy cannot coexist’
“One cannot claim to be pursuing negotiations, while simultaneously continuing the policy of pressure, sanctions, and threats. This approach is in no way acceptable, and we have clearly stated our positions,” Baghaei reiterated
According to the spokesperson, the very reason indirect negotiations were currently taking place was because Iran deemed Washington’s coercive approach unacceptable.
Baghaei further emphasized that Tehran’s preference for indirect talks was not unprecedented. “Indirect negotiation is not an unconventional method. It has happened before and is based on previously proven experience,” he said, adding, “We must choose a method we are confident about its effectiveness.”
The remarks came after the Islamic Republic and the US held indirect talks in the Omani capital Muscat, with Oman’s foreign minister functioning as the mediator.
The Iranian official’s remarks echoed comments made earlier this month by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said that talks with the US “make no sense” as long as Washington refused to alter its approach.
‘Focus remains on lifting illegal sanctions’
On the topic of the recent Muscat talks, Baghaei explained that the round marked the beginning of a renewed negotiating process, during which parties outlined their respective frameworks.
“Our main issue is the removal of the oppressive sanctions,” he said. “This has been our serious and longstanding demand, which we have raised and will continue to pursue.”
