Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: No Decision Yet on Second Round of Iran-U.S. Talks

Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic, announced on Monday, April 20, that the Islamic Republic currently has "no plans to hold a second round of negotiations in Islamabad," and that no decision has been made in this regard.

Criticizing the performance of the United States, he stated that Washington has shown a lack of seriousness in pursuing the diplomatic path through its "contradictory behaviors" and "continued violations of the ceasefire terms." Referring to the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports, Baghaei claimed that these actions have increased mistrust regarding America’s intentions.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also described the attack on an Iranian commercial vessel as an "act of aggression" and said that the Islamic Republic will decide on the continuation or suspension of negotiations by taking its national interests into account.

Hours before this attack, a cargo ship belonging to India had been attacked by IRGC forces in Iranian waters. Without mentioning the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC despite claims made by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the IRGC's own attacks on cargo ships, Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the southern waters of Iran had enjoyed "complete security" prior to the military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Islamic Republic positions.

He called on the international community to hold these two countries accountable for destabilizing the region.