Baghaei: Iran did not request US talks, will respond to MoU violations
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Friday that Tehran had not sought renewed negotiations with Washington, clarifying that a Qatari mediator visited the northeastern city of Mashhad on Doha's own initiative to discuss the status of the ceasefire agreement.
Speaking to state television, Baghaei said Iran accepted the mediator's visit as part of its longstanding policy of engaging responsibly with regional partners, stressing that the request for the meeting did not originate from Tehran. He added that Iranian officials used the talks to communicate the country's position on recent developments.
Baghaei accused the United States of repeatedly violating the memorandum of understanding since it was signed, arguing that Washington had continued military operations, imposed additional sanctions, and revoked Iran's oil export licence in breach of several provisions of the agreement.
He also criticized what he described as Washington's pattern of failing to uphold its commitments, saying successive U.S. administrations had repeatedly abandoned or undermined agreements with Iran.
According to Baghaei, Tehran's policy remains based on reciprocity, meaning it will implement its obligations only if the other party fully complies with its own commitments.
Addressing the recent UN Security Council meeting on Iran's nuclear program, the spokesman said the session was convened at the request of the United States, Britain and France under UN Security Council Resolution 2231. He noted that China and Russia opposed the meeting and said it concluded without any concrete outcome.
Baghaei further rejected calls for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect Iranian nuclear facilities damaged during recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, arguing that international institutions had failed to condemn those attacks.
He also announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to visit Oman on Saturday to continue consultations on navigation and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, with discussions focusing on implementing arrangements outlined in the ceasefire memorandum.
