No Decision Made to Resume US Talks, Says Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi

TEHRAN, Aug 15 — Iran has yet to decide whether to resume indirect negotiations with the United States, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressing that routine message exchanges through third-party mediators must not be misconstrued as a return to formal diplomacy.

Speaking to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Araghchi rejected reports suggesting that a 60-day ceasefire under the Islamabad memorandum—a June framework peace deal with the US brokered by Pakistan—requires an extension.

“What was included in the Islamabad memorandum was the end of the war, not a ceasefire,” Araghchi told ISNA.

“The United States violated the memorandum, and the fighting resumed. Therefore, there was no 60-day ceasefire that needed to be extended,” he added.

Araghchi clarified that the 60-day period stipulated in the memorandum was intended as a window of opportunity to conduct negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent settlement, rather than defining the operational duration of a truce.

Addressing ongoing diplomatic contacts, Araghchi acknowledged the active role of regional facilitators but cautioned against equating communication with formal talks.

“Both Qatar and Pakistan continue to exchange messages and remain in contact with us, but that does not mean negotiations,” he explained.

“No decision has yet been made to resume talks with the United States,” Araghchi affirmed.

Turning to maritime security, Araghchi confirmed that separate bilateral negotiations between Iran and Oman remain underway, emphasizing that these discussions are technical in nature and entirely disconnected from any US dialogue.

The Iranian-Omani talks center on establishing new navigation routes through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as existing maritime channels are no longer suitable for vessel traffic.

“We are currently designing a temporary route that will later become permanent route,” Araghchi noted, revealing that technical experts from both nations and representatives from Iran’s armed forces are involved, with an agreement expected soon.

However, the Foreign Minister stressed that technical progress on shipping lanes must not be conflated with the formal reopening of the maritime transit corridor.

“Once the route is determined, whether the Strait of Hormuz is reopened depends on the fulfillment of other conditions that the United States must comply with,” Araghchi concluded.

–NMT