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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is not currently negotiating with the U.S. and that talks cannot resume until Washington addresses what Tehran describes as violations of a memorandum of understanding between the two sides.
Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said messages continue to be exchanged through mediators but stressed that the contacts should not be considered negotiations.
"We are not currently conducting any negotiations with the U.S. Messages are being exchanged through mediators, but this cannot be called negotiations," Araghchi said.
In comments also carried by Iran's Mehr news agency, Araghchi said mediators were continuing efforts to create conditions for renewed talks and rebuild a basis for mutual understanding.
"Efforts are underway to create grounds for negotiations," he said.
Araghchi, however, said Tehran does not believe negotiations can resume unless the U.S. addresses what Iran considers breaches of the memorandum.
"As long as the violation of the memorandum has not ended and the U.S. has not compensated for the points it violated in the memorandum of understanding, it is not possible for negotiations to resume," he said.
Araghchi also addressed negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that reaching an agreement with Muscat would not automatically result in the reopening of the strategic waterway.
"Our negotiations with Oman do not mean that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Other conditions must also be fulfilled for that to happen," Araghchi said.
He said those conditions had already been communicated to the U.S. through mediators.
Araghchi also said changing sea routes in the Strait of Hormuz is a technical and legal matter and does not amount to reopening the strait.
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