Iran has no plans for negotiations, remains focused on defense: Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Tehran, July 16
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday stated that the Islamic Republic has no plans to resume negotiations with the United States amid escalation of military confrontation between the two sides in West Asia, according to Iranian state media Press TV.
Baghaei asserted that Tehran is currently focused on defending itself against ongoing US military actions, noting that it no longer considers itself bound by the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Washington aimed at ending the hostilities in the region.
According to Press TV, Baghaei said Iran would not return to the negotiating table while, according to Tehran, the United States continues to violate its commitments under the June 17 MoU.
"We currently have no plans for negotiations and are focused on defence," Baghaei said in response to US claims that its ongoing military operations against Iran would compel Tehran to resume talks.
The spokesperson said Iran believes the United States failed to uphold its obligations under the agreement from the outset, prompting Tehran to reconsider its own commitments.
"An MoU is a set of mutual commitments, and in the event of a breach by the other party, we too will refrain from fulfilling our obligations; this is a principle, and this same path will be followed henceforth," he said, as quoted by Press TV.
Baghaei further alleged that Washington had not acted in good faith in implementing the agreement.
"The other party has engaged in bad faith and breach of promise (beginning) from the very first article (of the MoU)," he added.
He also said there was broad domestic support within Iran for resisting what he described as US pressure and warned that the country's armed forces would respond to any military action.
"Our armed forces will respond with full force to any aggressor. If they strike, they will be struck back," Baghaei said.
His remarks came amid continuing US military strikes on coastal areas in southern Iran. Washington has said the operations are aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities that it alleges could be used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has rejected those allegations, maintaining that responsibility for managing transit through the Strait of Hormuz has been delegated to Tehran under Article 5 of the 14-point MoU agreed between the two countries.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated in recent days following US military operations targeting Iranian infrastructure and maritime assets, with Iran also conducting retaliatory strikes on US bases in the region.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Why does the US always think that bombing countries will make them negotiate? It's like they haven't learned from Afghanistan or Iraq. Iran's response seems logical to me—if the other side breaks the agreement, why would you stick to it? Our own foreign policy should take notes: be firm but smart, like India has been with the Chabahar port.
I hope India stays neutral on this one. We have strategic ties with both the US and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is critical for our oil imports—around 60% of our crude comes through there. Iran's point about managing the strait is valid, but the US military strikes are creating instability. As an Indian, I just want peace and stable oil prices. यही चाहिए हमको।
Meanwhile, the world is facing inflation and food crises, and these two are playing chicken in the Gulf. From a global perspective, this is madness. Iran’s not wrong to defend itself, but come on—who actually pays the price? Ordinary people in both countries, plus bystanders like India. 😤
Strong words from Iran, but I think this is mostly rhetoric for domestic audiences. No country completely shuts the door on negotiations—they just set conditions. Remember how India also talks tough on Pakistan but still has backchannel talks? The key is wisdom, not pride. Hope cooler heads prevail before this spirals.
As someone who follows West Asia closely, I find this situation deeply troubling. The US is clearly trying to provoke
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