Tehran, July 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Iran has confirmed that it continues to exchange messages with the United States through third-party mediators, even as direct negotiations remain stalled amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the indirect communication is being facilitated by mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar. Speaking in an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Baghaei stressed that meaningful dialogue could resume only if the necessary conditions were restored.
He argued that the United States had undermined the basis for negotiations by failing to uphold its commitments under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached between the two sides. According to Baghaei, Washington had effectively violated the understanding in practice, making constructive engagement difficult.
The spokesperson said Iran’s immediate priority is safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and citizens, while accusing the United States of committing war crimes. His remarks came against the backdrop of renewed hostilities that have cast uncertainty over the future of bilateral diplomacy.
Under the MoU signed on June 18, Iran and the United States had planned to hold negotiations within 60 days with the aim of reaching a final agreement. However, the recent escalation in military confrontations has left the planned talks in doubt.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Iran had expressed interest in engaging with Washington, although he suggested Tehran was not yet ready to conclude an agreement.
“They are talking to us right now. They’d love to make a deal,” Trump said, adding, “I don’t think they’re ready to. I don’t think it’s time yet. But I’m willing to listen.”
Reaffirming the US position, Trump said Washington would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
“They cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that preventing Iran from obtaining such capability remained a central objective of US policy.
Trump also claimed recent US military operations had severely weakened Iran’s military assets, asserting that the country had suffered major losses in aircraft, naval vessels, radar systems and drone capabilities. He did not provide evidence to support those claims.
The exchange of statements highlights the continuing diplomatic deadlock, with indirect contacts persisting even as public rhetoric between the two sides remains sharply confrontational.
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