Iran's FM Assures Lawmakers No Direct Talks With US So Far

The possibility of direct talks between Washington and Tehran has been a daily subject of media reports and speculations, as Iranian officials have changed their tone from past categoric rejections.

Mahmoud Abbaszadeh Meshkini, the spokesman for the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the parliament, said that Hossein Amir-Abdollaian attended the committee’s meeting to reassure MPs that no direct dialogue has taken place between the Iranian and US negotiating teams so far.

According to Meshkini, the foreign minister also answered questions about the ongoing talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, emphasizing that Iran is focused on the issue of guarantees and verifications for the removal of sanctions.

Amir-Abdollaian told lawmakers that some progress has been made but there are still issues that need to be discussed further.

Meshkini said that the West seeks to get concessions from Iran but only a win-win agreement is acceptable by the Islamic Republic.

“Iran wants a lasting agreement, and if it is permanent, it will be better”, Meshkini added, noting that the other side wants a temporary deal so they can withdraw from it whenever they want.

Tehran says it will not consider any interim arrangement, but recent reports suggest it is mulling the idea of direct negotiations with Washington.