Despite the ceasefire holding, Iran says don’t get it twisted — they are not at the negotiating table with Washington.

So, is Iran talking to the US again? According to Tehran, the answer is a firm no. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, said on Monday that despite a pause in fighting, there are currently “no negotiations” happening with the United States. Speaking at a weekly press briefing, he explained that while mediators may pass messages from the American side about what’s going on in the region, that’s as far as it goes. And he was quick to shut down rumours too: “Claims that Iran has requested negotiations are fabrications that the other side circulates from time to time.”This comes after hostilities flared up earlier this month when diplomatic efforts broke down over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

But things have been quiet since early Saturday, following 13 days of exchanges of fire between both sides. Baqaei didn’t hold back on the US either. He accused Washington’s conduct in recent years of resembling “that of a mafia gang that adheres to no rules or laws”. His take: until that changes, “we cannot be hopeful about the emergence of a reasonable process.” On the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is standing firm. Tehran insists it will keep control of managing the waterway — including collecting service fees — with Oman involved as a coastal state.

In fact, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they turned back multiple vessels on Monday alone, including six that tried to pass through outside the route designated by the Islamic Republic. And just to be clear, Baqaei stressed that ongoing talks with Oman have nothing to do with the US. “These talks have no connection with the United States. They are a bilateral matter between Iran and Oman, and they are continuing.” He also added that the waterway “remains closed.”So for now, the guns are quiet, but the talking isn’t happening.

Reported by cbinews.tv

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