Iran Rejects US Talks Resumption, Cites Violated Peace Agreement

Iran has not decided to resume negotiations with the US, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as reported by the Mehr agency. Araghchi claimed that the US violated the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict, rather than serving as a temporary ceasefire. He stated, "We did not have a ceasefire to extend; we had an end to the war, which has now entered a new situation."

Araghchi acknowledged that Qatar and Pakistan are mediating between Iran and the US but emphasized that these exchanges do not equate to formal negotiations. He also reported ongoing technical discussions with Oman regarding potential new maritime routes for vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. However, he clarified that these talks are distinct from a decision on whether the strait will be reopened to general transit.

Araghchi affirmed that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the fulfillment of specific conditions, one of which is that America must adhere to. On August 14, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory upon the conclusion of the military conflict with Iran. He stated the US currently maintains a blockade of the waterway, which largely halted commercial traffic through the strait after attacks on two additional vessels.

The US government expressed readiness to maintain the maritime blockade indefinitely. An Iranian source indicated that prior negotiations to extend the June ceasefire agreement were unsuccessful. Following its failure, Iran resumed attacks on vessels it claims are navigating the strait without Tehran's authorization. Prior to this escalation, on August 2, Trump announced a temporary suspension of planned US military strikes to facilitate diplomatic negotiations, specifying the immediate opening of the strait as a primary condition for any agreement.