Tehran has not yet decided whether it will participate in any new round of negotiations with the United States, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday.
At a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei pointed out that in less than nine months, the United States launched two military strikes against Iran during negotiations. He said the U.S., while claiming diplomacy and readiness for negotiations, is carrying out behaviors that in no way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process.
"After an agreement was reached, we faced U.S. actions in the Strait of Hormuz, what they called the 'naval blockade.' And in the last hour you have witnessed them attacking an Iranian merchant ship, and these are clear violations of the ceasefire," said Baghaei.
Iran will prioritize its own national interests and make appropriate decisions regarding its next steps, as the U.S. maritime blockade and its attacks on Iranian merchant ships have strengthened the Iranian people's suspicions about U.S. intentions, according to Baghaei.
"First, we will not accept the 'deadline' or 'ultimatum' by the U.S. side in safeguarding Iran's national interests. Second, this war was not initiated by Iran. In June of last year and this year, Iran took action twice to defend its national sovereignty. We will continue to defend our country as long as national interests require it. Without a doubt, if the U.S. and Israel launch another invasion, the Iranian armed forces will do everything in their power to defend the country," he said.
Tehran has not yet decided on participating in new talks with U.S.: spokesman
Tehran has not yet decided on participating in new talks with U.S.: spokesman
