Khatibzadeh: No Date Set for Second Round of Talks with U.S.
Tehran - BORNA - Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum today that while some progress has been made in talks with the U.S., significant hurdles remain.
The initial negotiations followed the announcement of a ceasefire and were held on April 12 (23 Farvardin) in Islamabad. Although both sides reached an understanding on a range of issues, a final agreement was not achieved due to diverging views on two or three critical matters.
While Pakistan continues its efforts to mediate a second round—with media reports suggesting a potential meeting this coming Monday—Iran has yet to confirm its participation. This hesitation stems from Washington's failure to adhere to ceasefire conditions, specifically the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The APA News Agency reported Khatibzadeh as saying: "Setting a specific date is impossible without an agreement on a general framework. Once such an agreement is reached, it will be announced." He added that Iran will not accept any "special status" outside of international law and will fulfill its obligations strictly within those legal frameworks.
Status of the Strait of Hormuz
Addressing the navigation situation in the Strait of Hormuz—where U.S. and Israeli-linked vessels are banned and others must coordinate with Iran—Khatibzadeh stated: "There is no ambiguity for us. I cannot speak for the other side, whose policy may be designed to confuse everyone. The Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial shipping. This pertains to the post-ceasefire period, though there may be technical restrictions due to security issues." He emphasized: "The Strait of Hormuz is not closed."
Tehran-Baku Relations
Regarding Iran's neighborhood policy with the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Deputy Foreign Minister described relations as "very good." He noted that in a recent phone call between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation. Khatibzadeh expressed his gratitude to the people of Azerbaijan and President Aliyev.
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