Iran: "No direct talks with the USA, we are only discussing Hormuz with Oman"
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran's regional contacts aim to address security concerns and protect national interests. He clarified that negotiations are being conducted solely with Oman regarding a temporary safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson and member of the Iranian negotiating delegation, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated on Monday that they are not holding talks with the American side at this stage.
"The goal of the contacts that the Iranian Foreign Minister is holding in the region is to address the lack of security and protect Iran's interests. Our negotiations are being conducted with Oman and are focused on reaching understandings regarding a safe route for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The route discussed with Oman will be temporary, and through it, we will ensure passage through Hormuz," he added.
According to Baghaei, several regional countries are working to reduce tensions. He emphasized that Iran relies on its own power to deter the USA. Pakistan is acting as a mediator, Qatar is cooperating in this area, and China is working to prevent escalation without acting as a formal mediator. He stressed that Iran is not in conflict with regional neighbors and urged them not to allow the use of their territories for attacks.
Baghaei added that "if the United States continues to violate the memorandum of understanding, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not change."
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that talks with Iran would resume later in the afternoon. He claimed that two central issues would be at the heart of the renewed contacts: opening the Strait of Hormuz to international trade and dismantling the Iranian nuclear program.
"There will be a deal regarding Hormuz, and then there will be a deal on the nuclear issue - or as I call it, the denuclearization of Iran. We are waiting, and we will see what happens," Trump stated.
However, the US President emphasized that the military option remains on the table, though he prefers reaching an agreement. "I am not looking to kill people. People die in wars, and a great many people die - we do not want that." Trump also claimed that Iran itself requested to avoid a strike and resume negotiations, noting the inconsistency between their private requests and their public statements in the media.
