Iran has received messages from intermediaries, including Pakistan, but has had no direct negotiations with the U.S., spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry Esmail Baghaei said today. His comments contradict President Trump.
“Since the last round of talks, what has been presented are messages received via some intermediaries, including Pakistan, indicating America’s desire and request for negotiation,” Baghaei said in a weekly news conference in Tehran this morning. Trump said last night the U.S. was negotiating “directly and indirectly” with Iran and making good progress.
Global trust in America’s diplomatic claims is very limited, Baghaei said, as he blamed the U.S. for continuously changing its positions and making contradictory statements. Iran’s position has been firm, he said. “We know well what our framework is. As I have noted before, the matters communicated to us, under any title such as the 15-point plan, mostly include very excessive, unrealistic, and unreasonable requests,” said Baghaei, referring to the proposal sent by U.S. negotiators.
If regional and neighboring countries are concerned about peace and security, this is commendable, Baghaei added, but a “realistic and fair perspective is necessary” from any mediators, he said, and restraint should not be expected from only one side.