Any breakthrough in nuclear negotiations depends on American conduct, and Iran will reject pressure tactics, said the Supreme Leader’s representative in the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force.
“If they act logically, the talks may lead to a good outcome,” Ali Mohammadi Sirat told ILNA on Monday.
He said Iran would respond forcefully to any attack on its national security and urged Washington to avoid “selfishness, bullying, and domineering behavior” if it seeks a negotiated solution.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that US-Iran negotiations are indirect because direct talks would not be effective or beneficial for the Islamic Republic.
Esmail Baghaei said that indirect negotiations are not unusual and have occurred before, adding that they are currently taking place in other contexts as well.
“Direct negotiations, in a situation where one side insists on a coercive approach, uses threats, and resorts to force, are neither beneficial nor acceptable to a side like the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said speaking to reporters on Monday. “Therefore, we will continue with the form and approach we have chosen.”
Baghaei also said that the next round of talks may take place in a location other than Oman, adding that the location is not as important as ensuring the framework of interaction between Iran and the US remains unchanged.
A professor of international relations has suggested that the current "limbo" in Tehran-Washington relations will likely persist until mid-July, warning that Trump would react negatively if Iran were perceived to be stalling or being evasive in ongoing negotiations.
Shahram Kholdi, speaking to Iran International, said that “Trump does not like to be humiliated, and if he feels that the Islamic Republic is wasting time and being obstructive in the negotiations, he will react."
According to the analyst, the US president seeks an agreement with the Iranian government, but the extensive deployment of US forces and military equipment in the region indicates his distrust of the Islamic Republic.
