In brief
Iran's foreign minister dismissed rumors of a meeting with U.S. officials, affirming that Tehran will act only once Washington accepts its terms. Mediation continues with Qatar and Pakistan over issues such as a new Strait of Hormuz shipping route, sanctions relief and a ceasefire on all fronts. The stalled negotiations highlight the impasse that has persisted since the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, announced on Saturday that the country has no plans to hold a meeting with U.S. officials, while consultations with Qatari and Pakistani mediators over the crisis continue, Xinhua reported.
Araghchi dismissed speculation of a direct or indirect U.S. meeting as media rumor, saying Tehran would decide to negotiate only after Washington accepted Iran’s conditions. He noted that an Iranian delegation had traveled to Qatar for further discussions and that his aide was there to continue talks with mediators.
The conditions that Iran is demanding include recognition of a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz that it has negotiated with Oman, the closure of other routes, lifting sanctions imposed after the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding, a reduction in U.S. military forces in the region, restoration of sanctions waivers for Iranian oil exports, release of all frozen Iranian funds, including those held in Qatar, and an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Araghchi cited proposals from mediators regarding Iran’s nuclear program that Tehran is reviewing as part of what he described as a second phase of negotiations. He also said a letter from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance had been reviewed at high‑level meetings, characterizing the American effort to open the door to broader dialogue and understanding as a "positive step."
Background to the current impasse includes the military escalation following a joint U.S. and Israeli strike on February 28, the subsequent Iranian counter‑attacks on U.S. and Israeli bases, and a ceasefire achieved on April 8. The June 18 Memorandum of Understanding, which called for negotiations to culminate by August 17, has failed to achieve a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions.
