Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described negotiations with the United States as “meaningless,” accusing Washington of repeatedly launching attacks after diplomatic engagements.
Pezeshkian made the comments on Monday as efforts to reach an agreement to end the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States remained stalled.
According to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian said Iran had been attacked three times after entering negotiations with Washington, which he said demonstrated that the US was not genuinely interested in dialogue.
“So far, they have attacked us three times after talks, and this shows that they are not seeking dialogue; rather, their goal is to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Pezeshkian said.
He also accused the United States of using assassination, sanctions, pressure and threats against Iran while failing to honour commitments.
“With an enemy that every day resorts to assassination, sanctions, pressure and threats, and that breaks its commitments, negotiations are meaningless,” he said.
The conflict began in late February after the United States and Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran while Washington and Tehran were engaged in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
The two sides later agreed on a memorandum of understanding in June that outlined a framework for a permanent settlement. However, the diplomatic process subsequently stalled amid renewed military confrontation and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent indirect discussions between Iran and the United States on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly also failed to produce a breakthrough.
Washington has reduced its military operations in recent weeks and has not carried out a strike on Iran since September 1, instead increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that military action would not provide a solution to the conflict.
“There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” Araghchi said.
He maintained that negotiations based on fairness and justice were the only way to resolve the conflict.
“Only negotiations based on justice and fairness” could end the conflict, he added.
The United States and Israel have maintained that military action against Iran is aimed at preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weapons. Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
The Strait of Hormuz has also become a major point of tension. Iran has sought to restrict shipping through the strategic waterway, while the United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports.
Several vessels have come under attack amid the confrontation. According to the British maritime security agency UKMTO, a tanker was struck while attempting to pass through the waterway on Sunday, while another vessel turned back on Monday after reportedly receiving threats from Iranian forces.
The disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has continued to affect global energy markets because of the waterway’s importance to international oil shipments.
For now, diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with Tehran insisting that negotiations cannot succeed while it continues to face military attacks, sanctions and pressure from Washington.
Source: AFP.
