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Iran dismissed claims of an interim agreement with the United States on its nuclear program and warned that any American attack, including limited strikes, would constitute an "act of aggression" met with a fierce response.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said at a weekly press briefing on Monday, Feb. 23, in Tehran that reports of a temporary deal with Washington have no basis.
"We do not confirm such interpretations. Claims regarding an interim agreement have no foundation," Baqaei said.
Baqaei emphasized that preparing a negotiation text is a joint process, noting that Iran's position on the removal of U.S. sanctions remains clear.
"We can accept an agreement that safeguards our country's rights and covers nuclear issues as well as the lifting of sanctions," Baqaei said.
He stressed that prejudice and coercion cannot lead to successful negotiations. "For Iran, this approach will not yield results. We are pursuing diplomacy seriously," he said.
Responding to remarks by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff that Iran would reach nuclear weapons-grade material within a week, Baqaei said: "This is not the first time we are encountering such statements."
The two countries concluded a second round of indirect talks in Switzerland last Tuesday under Omani mediation, against the backdrop of a major U.S. military buildup in the region. Further talks are scheduled for Thursday, confirmed by Iran and Oman but not by the United States.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading the negotiations for Iran, while the United States is represented by Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Baqaei said any U.S. attack, including limited strikes, would be met with a forceful response.
"There is no limited strike," Baqaei said, adding that, "An act of aggression would be regarded as an act of aggression. Period. And any state would react to an act of aggression as part of its inherent right of self-defence ferociously, so that's what we would do."
Trump said Friday, Feb. 20, he was considering a limited strike on Iran if Tehran did not reach a deal with Washington. "I guess I can say I am considering that," he replied following a question from reporters.
Witkoff said in an interview with Fox News broadcast Sunday that Trump is wondering why Iran has not "capitulated" in the face of Washington's military deployment. Baqaei responded by saying that Iranians had never capitulated at any point in their history.
"Our forces are standing guard 24 hours with eyes wide open to defend our country," Baqaei said.
Asked whether Iranian National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani would visit Oman on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Baqaei said: "I need to confirm this. I do not have information at this time."
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas called on the United States to resolve tensions with Iran through diplomatic means on Monday.
"The situation in Iran is quite tense. We do not need a new war in this region. There are already too many wars," Kallas said.
"Iran is at its weakest point ever. We should use this time to find a diplomatic solution," she added.
Kallas said the EU is ready to contribute to a resolution, noting that concerns extend beyond the nuclear issue to include Iran's ballistic missile program and other matters.
"That is why we emphasized the diplomatic path. We are also ready to contribute. The issue is not just nuclear but also our concerns regarding Iran's ballistic missile program and other issues," she concluded.
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