Iran’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed reports that it is engaged in negotiations with the United States, insisting that no talks are currently taking place despite a pause in recent hostilities between the two countries.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran was not involved in any direct or indirect negotiations with Washington.
“Mediators may convey messages from the American side to us regarding current developments in the region. But at present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States,” Baqaei said.
He also rejected claims that Tehran had sought renewed dialogue with Washington.
“Claims that Iran has requested negotiations are fabrications that the other side circulates from time to time,” he added.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated earlier this month after diplomatic efforts broke down amid disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz, leading to 13 days of hostilities.
Although the fighting has paused since early Saturday, Baqaei accused the United States of acting outside accepted international norms.
“The conduct of the United States in recent years has resembled that of a mafia gang that adheres to no rules or laws. So long as such behaviour continues, we cannot be hopeful about the emergence of a reasonable process,” he said.
Iran has maintained that it should retain control over the management of the Strait of Hormuz, including the collection of service fees, while recognising Oman’s role as a neighbouring coastal state.
In recent days, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have reportedly turned back several vessels attempting to transit the strategic waterway outside routes designated by Tehran, including six ships on Monday.
Baqaei also stressed that the ongoing discussions with Oman over the administration of the Strait of Hormuz are strictly bilateral and unrelated to the United States.
“These talks have no connection with the United States. They are a bilateral matter between Iran and Oman, and they are continuing,” he said, adding that the waterway “remains closed.”
