Iran Remains Noncommittal on Upcoming US Talks Amid Contradictions
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Tehran, April 20 (NationPress) In light of what it described as "contradictory actions" from the United States, Iran announced on Monday that it has yet to make any decision regarding its participation in the upcoming round of talks with the US.
Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated during a press briefing in Tehran, "Currently, we have not reached any conclusions about our involvement in the next negotiations."
The spokesperson criticized the US for its contradictory behavior while asserting a commitment to diplomacy, pointing out that since the ceasefire began, Iran has faced "bad faith and ongoing complaints" from Washington.
Baqaei highlighted that the US initially contended that Lebanon was excluded from the ceasefire agreement, despite evidence to the contrary.
As reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Baqaei remarked that even after reaching an understanding, Iran experienced "maritime actions in the Strait of Hormuz," which included a US assault on an Iranian cargo ship on Sunday night. He condemned this act as a breach of the ceasefire and labeled it "an act of aggression."
On Sunday, President Donald Trump stated that US forces had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to circumvent the US blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
Baqaei emphasized that Iran's distrust of the overall process will only increase with such inconsistencies. He assured that Tehran will carefully consider its national interests before making any decisions about its future course.
He also pointed out that the US has "betrayed diplomacy twice" and has attacked Iran's sovereignty and assets, asserting that the "very costly experiences" of the last year cannot be overlooked by Iran.
Baqaei concluded by noting that the nation must remain vigilant against potential plots from adversaries, even while exploring diplomatic avenues, and that "all facets of Iran are closely monitoring any developments."
scor/as