• No direct talks with the US took place, only messages via intermediaries
• Proposals conveyed to Iran have mostly been ‘unrealistic, unreasonable and excessive’

Tehran is dismissing reports of direct negotiations with Washington, clarifying that recent diplomatic exchanges have been limited to messages conveyed through third-party intermediaries. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, emphasized that these communications do not constitute formal “talks,” reiterating the long-standing refusal to engage in direct dialogue under current conditions.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the proposals received from the US via these mediators have been largely characterized as “unrealistic, unreasonable, and excessive.” Iranian officials suggest that the terms presented by the US side fail to account for regional realities and represent a “maximalist” approach that Tehran is unwilling to engage. The spokesperson noted that Iran’s leadership has reviewed the messages but found the demands to be deceptive, suggesting they are part of a broader strategy to exert pressure rather than a sincere effort at diplomacy.

This stance comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions, with Tehran pointing to past experiences with American diplomacy as a primary reason for its current skepticism. Specifically, Iranian officials cited instances where they claim the US initiated military actions or applied new sanctions while diplomatic channels were still active. As a result, the Foreign Ministry maintained that the country’s current focus remains on national defense and sovereignty rather than entering into what it views as a lopsided negotiating framework.

While several regional “friendly countries”, including Pakistan and Oman, have attempted to facilitate a breakthrough, Iran has remained firm that it will only consider an end to hostilities on its own terms. These conditions reportedly include the total cessation of “aggression and assassinations,” guaranteed reparations for war damages, and formal recognition of Iran’s sovereign rights. Until such conditions are met, the Foreign Ministry indicates that any messages from Washington will continue to be viewed as insufficient.

This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.