Iran on Monday rejected reports that it had entered into negotiations with the United States, maintaining a firm stance amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Speaking to the official IRNA, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that while messages had been conveyed over the past few days through “friendly countries” indicating a US request for talks, Iran’s responses strictly followed its “principled positions.”
Baghaei emphasized that Iran had issued warnings about the “serious consequences” of any attack on its critical infrastructure, stating that any action targeting the country’s energy facilities would prompt a “decisive, immediate, and effective” military response.
He categorically denied that any direct negotiations or dialogue with the United States had occurred in the 24 days since the outbreak of what he described as the “imposed war.” Baghaei also reaffirmed Iran’s unchanging position regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the conditions for ending hostilities.
The Iranian statement comes in contrast to recent remarks by Donald Trump, who said on Monday that discussions with Tehran had been “productive,” signaling potential diplomatic progress from Washington’s perspective.
The regional crisis escalated significantly after the United States and Israel launched a joint military offensive on Iran on February 28. Reports indicate that the campaign has resulted in over 1,340 deaths, including the then-Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
In retaliation, Iran has carried out a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting US military installations. These attacks have caused casualties, extensive infrastructure damage, and significant disruptions to global markets and aviation.
Baghaei’s remarks underscore Iran’s insistence on maintaining a strong defensive posture and rejecting claims of bilateral negotiations, signaling that the nation’s leadership intends to continue its strategic and military positions until conditions deemed acceptable by Tehran are met.
Observers note that the conflicting narratives from Tehran and Washington illustrate the complexity of the crisis, with both sides projecting different messages to domestic and international audiences while the situation on the ground remains highly volatile.
