Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi today said, his country is not currently engaged in direct negotiations with the United States, while messages between the two sides are being exchanged through intermediaries.
According to his statement carried by Iranian state media, Mr Araghchi said, several countries were continuing efforts to create conditions for the resumption of negotiations between Tehran and Washington. He said, Tehran would not return to direct talks with the US until Washington ends its violations of the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides in June.
Yesterday, Mr Araghchi said, the deal with Oman on a legal mechanism for managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is very close, but reopening the strategic waterway will be subject to additional conditions, including compensation from the US over the latter’s violations of the memorandum.
The statement comes as a US official on Friday stated that progress has been made in talks between Iran and Oman, which could lead to the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and restore oil exports disrupted by the five-month-old conflict.
