Iran says US destroyed foundation for dialogue

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated that the United States has destroyed the foundation for dialogue, accusing Washington of violating agreements and betraying diplomacy for the third time. In an interview with Austria's ORF television, Baqaei said, "The entire world expected that this time, at least, the United States would fulfill its commitments. But what the United States did was a flagrant violation of various provisions of this agreement, and for the third time, diplomacy was betrayed."

Baqaei confirmed that message exchanges between Tehran and Washington continue through mediators, including Pakistan, Oman, and Qatar. However, he stressed that dialogue requires a proper foundation, which the United States has destroyed. "Iranians have never sought war. We were attacked and forced to defend ourselves," he said. "We have shown the world that we are determined and steadfast in defending our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and dignity."

The spokesperson emphasized that Iran fulfilled all its obligations to facilitate safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He held the United States directly responsible for rising tensions in the strategic waterway. "Based on Article 5 of this memorandum, a 30-day period was foreseen to restore commercial vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz – from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa – to pre-war status," Baqaei explained. "Iran fulfilled all its commitments to facilitate the safe passage of ships. However, on the 21st or 22nd day after signing the memorandum, the United States, under the pretext of incidents against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, launched a massive military aggression against Iran."

Baqaei noted that the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and imposed a 20 percent tariff on vessels transiting the strait just weeks after the agreement was signed, actions that directly violate the memorandum's terms. He said Iran's focus remains on defending the homeland and protecting its people against "war crimes" committed by the United States. When asked about the prospect of lasting peace in the region, Baqaei said achieving peace is not easy "because there are always forces that seek war," citing the Israeli regime's decades of continuous aggression against regional countries.

According to Mehr News, the spokesperson's remarks highlight ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, with Iran emphasizing its commitment to dialogue but blaming Washington for undermining diplomatic efforts.