Iran’s Baghaei rules out US talks, says Pakistan remains key intermediary

WEBDESK: Iran is not currently engaged in negotiations with the United States, while Pakistan continues to play a central mediating role in efforts to ease regional tensions, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.

Addressing a press briefing, Baghaei dismissed reports suggesting the emergence of another mediator between Tehran and Washington. “There is no new mediator for negotiations between Iran and the United States,” he said, reiterating that “no talks are currently taking place with the United States.”

The Iranian spokesperson said Pakistan, Türkiye and Qatar were working to revive the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, adding that Pakistan was playing the central mediating role in matters involving Iran and the United States. He added that Qatar continued to provide facilitation whenever required, while China was using its diplomatic influence to help reduce tensions across the region.

Baghaei maintained that Iran had “never stepped back from negotiations,” but insisted that meaningful progress would remain difficult while hostilities persisted. He also described the US campaign against Iran as “in reality, a war against the entire region,” reiterating Tehran’s position that the conflict extends beyond Iran’s borders.

US President Donald Trump had earlier announced that negotiations with Iran were due to begin on Monday afternoon. While expressing a preference for diplomacy over military action, Trump declined to set a deadline for a potential agreement. He said any deal must ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and address what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat. Trump also said he had postponed a planned military strike after Iran and regional countries requested more time for negotiations.

Speaking about Oman, Baghaei said Tehran was working on establishing a temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that discussions between the two countries had been “positive.”

However, he stressed that any understanding with Oman would not be enough to reopen the strategic waterway. “The situation will remain unstable as long as US aggression continues,” he said.

Meanwhile Iran intensified its diplomatic engagement on Monday as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate telephone conversations with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss regional security and efforts to de-escalate tensions.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Araghchi and Field Marshal Munir exchanged views on regional developments, including the impact of ongoing US and Israeli actions against Iran. Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and pursuing political solutions to prevent further escalation. Araghchi also spoke with Prince Faisal for the second time in 24 hours, with both ministers reviewing diplomatic initiatives aimed at preserving stability in West Asia.

Iran had said talks with Oman over issues related to the Strait of Hormuz were progressing, though officials stressed they were separate from any decision to reopen the strategic waterway. The strait, through which around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass, has remained a key flashpoint following recent hostilities.

Despite the renewed diplomatic momentum, Israel maintained that it would continue taking military action if Iran resumed its nuclear programme or expanded its ballistic missile capabilities, regardless of any future agreement. Tehran, for its part, continues to deny seeking nuclear weapons