KABUL (Pajhwok): Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran is not currently holding negotiations with the United States, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s claim that talks between the two countries would begin on Monday.
According to reports, Trump told reporters late on Sunday that Washington and Tehran would start negotiations on Monday afternoon, referring to his decision to delay a planned attack on Iran.
He said he preferred reaching an agreement rather than causing further loss of life.
Meanwhile, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported that Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference on Monday that Iran currently has no negotiations with the US.
He said Tehran was instead engaged in talks with Oman over a temporary route to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We are not negotiating with the United States at present. Our talks with Oman are focused on reaching an understanding over a route that ensures safe maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baghaei said.
He added that the discussions were bilateral and involved Iran and Oman as the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Others can play a constructive or destructive role in this process, but the issue concerns Iran and Oman,” he said.
Baghaei said an agreement on a safe shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz was a necessary condition for reopening the waterway, but not the only condition.
He claimed that the difficulties surrounding the Strait of Hormuz resulted from US and Israeli attacks on Iran, rather than disagreements between Tehran and Muscat.
Baghaei also said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would travel to Iraq on Monday to attend Arbaeen ceremonies, while other members of the negotiating team remain in Iran.
sa
