Iran says US is ‘not serious’ about negotiations
Iran on Monday accused the United States of undermining diplomatic efforts by repeatedly confusing negotiations with imposing demands on Tehran, as disputes over sanctions, regional security and the Strait of Hormuz continued to hamper efforts to ease tensions.
“The American side is not serious about negotiations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said during his weekly news conference, according to state-run IRNA news agency.
Baqaei accused Washington of making misleading statements about diplomacy, recalling that US President Donald Trump had expressed support for negotiations shortly before US military attacks on Iran in June 2025.
“What do you call this? Do you see any goodwill in this approach?” he asked.
He said Tehran had received no new European proposal for negotiations beyond a political statement, criticising Britain, France and Germany for their positions during the conflict.
He accused the three countries of aligning themselves with Washington over the restoration of UN sanctions and failing to condemn military attacks against Iran.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons
Baqaei reiterated that Iran had never possessed nuclear weapons or sought to acquire them, accusing Washington of using allegations about its nuclear programme to justify military action.
He said Tehran had negotiated in good faith and signed the 2015 nuclear agreement, but the United States withdrew from the deal three years later.
The spokesman also accused the US administration of being influenced by Israeli claims about Iran’s nuclear activities, describing allegations that Tehran was developing a nuclear bomb as a pretext for military aggression.
Tehran seeks answers over missing pilots
Baqaei said Iran continued to hold Qatar responsible for clarifying the fate of three Iranian pilots whose aircraft were hit in the Gulf country.
“Until we have evidence of their deaths or receive precise information and documentation, we assume that the country where their aircraft were hit must be held accountable,” he said.
He added that Tehran was pursuing the matter in coordination with its military leadership through technical delegations and legal discussions.
Baqaei also confirmed that a Qatari delegation had recently visited Tehran for discussions on bilateral cooperation and regional mediation.
He described such visits as normal during regional conflicts, saying Qatar had sought to convey messages and present its positions.
Commenting on Israel’s upcoming elections and threats of military action against Iran, the spokesman accused Israeli politicians of competing over who could commit more crimes.
“It makes no difference to us who takes charge of a regime with a history of violence and killings,” he said.
Iran calls for Saudi-Yemen settlement
On tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Baqaei said regional security was interconnected, and instability in one country could affect others.
He said the dispute should be resolved between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, reiterating Tehran’s readiness to help facilitate a settlement.
“Military approaches make problems more complicated and cause extensive damage,” he said, expressing hope that Saudi Arabia would pursue a negotiated solution.