Iran has denied any plans for talks with America, saying that its focus is only on its own defense. Tehran accused Washington of violating the MoU and said it was no longer bound by the agreement and would give a befitting reply to any attack.
tehran [ईरान]July 16 (ANI): Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai said on Wednesday that the Islamic republic has no plans to resume talks with the United States amid escalating military confrontation between the two sides in West Asia. This information was given by Iranian government media Press TV.
Baghai stressed that Tehran is currently focused on defending itself against ongoing US military actions. He said Iran no longer considers itself bound by the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it signed with Washington, which was aimed at ending hostilities in the region.
No plan for talks, focus only on defence.
According to Press TV, Baghai said Iran will not return to the negotiating table as long as the US continues to violate its commitments under the June 17 MoU.
In response to US claims that its ongoing military operations against Iran would force Tehran to resume talks, Baghai said, “At the moment we have no plans for talks and we are focused on defence.”
‘America broke its promise’
The spokesman said Iran believes the United States failed to live up to its obligations under the agreement from the beginning, causing Tehran to reconsider its commitments.
“An MoU is a set of mutual commitments, and in the event of a violation by the other party, we will also refrain from fulfilling our obligations; this is a principle, and will continue on this path,” Press TV quoted him as saying.
Baghai further alleged that Washington has not acted in good faith in implementing the agreement. “The other side has committed bad faith and breach of promise from the very first clause (of the MoU),” he said.
‘If there is an attack, there will be a befitting reply’
He also said there is broad domestic support within Iran to resist US pressure and warned that the country’s armed forces would respond to any military action. “Our armed forces will respond with full force to any aggressor. If they attack, they will have to face a counter-attack,” Baghai said.
Why has tension increased between the two countries?
His comments came amid the ongoing US military attacks on the coastal areas of southern Iran.
Washington has said the operations are aimed at weakening Iranian military capabilities, which it alleges could be used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has rejected those allegations, saying responsibility for managing transit through the Strait of Hormuz is entrusted to Tehran under Article 5 of the 14-point MoU agreed between the two countries.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen in recent days following US military operations targeting Iranian infrastructure and maritime assets, with Iran also retaliating against US targets in the region. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)