Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baqai announced today that no decision has been made regarding the next round of indirect talks with the United States, casting fresh uncertainty over efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Baqai expressed skepticism about Washington’s commitment to meaningful engagement, pointing to recently imposed US sanctions as a significant point of contention.
The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the US withdrew from in 2018 under the Trump administration. Indirect negotiations, primarily mediated through various stakeholders have seen intermittent progress but remain stalled over key issues, including sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear activities.
Baqai criticized the latest US sanctions targeting Iranian entities, stating, “These measures question the seriousness of Washington’s intent to engage constructively.” He argued that such actions undermine the potential for productive dialogue, further complicating an already delicate process. The spokesman did not specify a timeline for Iran’s decision on resuming talks, leaving open the possibility of prolonged delays.
The US has maintained that sanctions are a tool to pressure Iran into compliance with international nuclear obligations, while Iran insists on the full removal of sanctions as a prerequisite for scaling back its nuclear program. This impasse has fueled tensions, with both sides accusing the other of bad faith.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has called for “mutual respect” in negotiations, urging the US to demonstrate “practical commitment” through actions rather than rhetoric
