KABUL (Pajhwok): Iran has said no date has yet been fixed for the next round of talks with the United States, as both sides seek agreement on a framework for negotiations.
The highest-level contacts between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in Islamabad last weekend without a breakthrough.
According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump said further direct talks would likely take place this weekend. However, some diplomats expressed doubt, citing the logistical challenges of arranging another meeting in Islamabad, where the discussions are expected to continue.
“We are now focusing on finalising the framework of understanding between the two sides. We do not want to enter into any negotiation or meeting that is doomed to fail or could become a pretext for another round of escalation,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in Antalya, southern Turkey.
“Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set a date. There was significant progress made, actually, but the maximalist approach by the other side, trying to make Iran an exception to international law, prevented us from reaching an agreement,” he said, referring to US demands regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
“I have to be very clear that Iran will not accept being treated as an exception to international law. Any commitment we make will be within international regulations and international law.”
Responding to reports that Iran again closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after its temporary reopening following a separate US-brokered 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, Khatibzadeh said Tehran had already announced safe passage for commercial vessels in line with the truce terms.
“The American side tried to sabotage that by saying it was open except for Iranians. That was the reason we said that if you are going to violate the ceasefire terms and conditions, if Americans are not going to honour their words, there will be repercussions,” he said.
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