Iran says exchange of messages with US continues through mediators
Tehran, July 27
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States is exchanging messages with Iran through mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, according to Iranian media reports, citing his remarks in an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF.
Baghaei stressed in the interview that for any dialogue to be formed, the "proper ground" must be prepared, noting that the United States has destroyed such a ground, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Iranian media.
He accused Washington of violating "all its provisions" in practice under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States.
The spokesman said Iran's current priority "is to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and protect its people against the war crimes that are being perpetrated by the United States."
Under the MoU signed on June 18, the United States and Iran were scheduled to hold talks within a period of 60 days to reach a final agreement, but the talks' fate is hanging in the balance following renewed clashes between the two over the past two weeks.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Iran was seeking talks with Washington but insisted Tehran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, using the White House Correspondents' Dinner to reiterate his administration's position on one of its top foreign policy priorities.
"They are talking to us right now. They'd love to make a deal," Trump said.
"I don't think they're ready to. I don't think it's time yet. But I'm willing to listen."
He said the United States would not compromise on Iran's nuclear ambitions. "They cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.
"We don't want to see Washington D.C. or any of our cities or Israel or, frankly, the Middle East destroyed with a nuclear weapon."
"And they would use it if they had it."
Trump also claimed recent US military action had significantly degraded Iran's military capabilities, although he offered no evidence during his remarks.
"We've hit Iran very hard," he said, adding that Iran's navy and air force were "gone" and claiming the country had lost "250 jets", "159 boats", radar systems and much of its drone capability. "They don't have much left," he said.
The President described preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon as the central objective of US policy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting how Trump says Iran is 'seeking talks' while Iran's spokesman accuses US of destroying any ground for dialogue. Typical blame game between superpowers. India must maintain our strategic autonomy here - we need Iranian oil and Chabahar port access, but also good US relations. Tricky balancing act!
Trump's claims about destroying Iran's navy and air force sound exaggerated - '250 jets' and '159 boats' without evidence? 🤨 Reminds me of his usual bluster. But nuclear Iran is genuinely worrying for the entire region, including us. Hope diplomacy succeeds before things escalate further.
As an Indian, I feel for the Iranian people caught between US sanctions and their own government's rhetoric. The 60-day MoU seems dead already. Pakistan as mediator is laughable - they can't even manage their own economy! India should step up and offer our good offices instead. We have credibility with both sides.
Honestly, both sides are posturing for domestic audiences. Trump wants a 'deal' before elections, Iran needs sanctions relief. What's worrying is the nuclear angle - if Iran gets nukes, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will follow. Then what happens to our neighborhood? The world cannot afford another nuclear arms race in West Asia.
'Protect its people against war crimes by the United States' - strong words from Iran! 😯 But remember, the US has a history of regime change in the region (Iraq, Libya). Iran's distrust is understandable. However, India needs stability there for our energy security and the 8 million Indians working in the Gulf. Peace please!