Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Aragchi on Sunday, 9 August categorically stated that Iran and the United States are not engaged in any active negotiations, citing unresolved American violations of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as the primary obstacle to resuming dialogue. Aragchi made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Centre for Political and International Studies of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Aragchi's Position on Talks

'We currently have no negotiations with the United States. Intermediaries are still making efforts to find ways to resume negotiations,' Aragchi said. He added: 'From our perspective, there can be no resumption of talks until the United States ends its violations of the Memorandum of Understanding and makes amends for the breaches it has committed.'

The Foreign Minister reiterated the precondition in unambiguous terms: 'Until the violations of the memorandum of understanding by the United States are ended and the United States does not make amends for what it has violated, in our opinion, there is no possibility of resuming negotiations.'

Strait of Hormuz: New Sea Route Under Discussion

Aragchi also disclosed that Iran is in the final stage of negotiations with Oman over establishing a new sea route in the Strait of Hormuz, with technical experts working to identify replacement routes for existing ones. However, he was careful to draw a distinction between the route agreement and any broader strategic shift. 'This does not mean the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. This agreement may be reached, but the opening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to a series of conditions,' he emphasised. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global oil transit chokepoint, and any change in its operational status carries significant implications for energy markets worldwide.

President Pezeshkian's Parallel Signal

A day earlier, on Saturday, 8 August, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered a more conciliatory tone at a press conference, saying Tehran would continue pursuing peace under the MoU framework — provided Washington helps establish an atmosphere of trust. 'Now is the best time to reach an agreement, as there is solidarity, power and unity in the country,' Pezeshkian said.

'We are determined to use the MoU as the basis provided that the United States lets go of the atmosphere of distrust it has created, and an atmosphere of trust is formed,' the President added. The dual messaging from Iran's top leadership — Aragchi's hard preconditions alongside Pezeshkian's conditional openness — reflects the internal complexity of Tehran's diplomatic posture as both sides navigate an impasse.

Context and What Comes Next

The standoff comes against a backdrop of repeated failed attempts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018. Intermediaries, including Oman, have historically played a back-channel role in US-Iran communications. Aragchi's confirmation that intermediaries are 'still making efforts' suggests diplomatic contact has not been fully severed, even as formal talks remain stalled. How Washington responds to Tehran's MoU preconditions will likely determine whether any resumption of negotiations is possible in the near term.