Iran has accused the United States of complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts by repeatedly changing its position and sending contradictory signals through public messaging, further deepening mistrust between the two sides.
Speaking at a press briefing in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqai said the latest round of Iran–United States diplomatic talks began in an atmosphere already defined by “deep suspicion and lack of trust.”
According to Baqai, the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington is still ongoing, but the process remains hindered by inconsistent positions from the US side. He warned that without a stable and realistic approach from Washington, diplomatic progress would remain slow and uncertain.
Baqai stressed that diplomacy is inherently a two-way process and cannot be based on unilateral demands. He said Iran would not accept one-sided conditions in any future agreement and insisted that negotiations must reflect mutual obligations and balanced commitments.
The spokesperson also confirmed that uranium enrichment was not part of the latest round of discussions, despite ongoing speculation surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.
On regional developments, Baqai linked broader tensions to the situation in Lebanon, saying a ceasefire in Lebanon would be an essential component of any broader agreement aimed at reducing conflict involving the United States. He added that developments in Lebanon are closely connected to US regional policies.
He further accused Israel of attempting to derail peace efforts in the region through its actions in Lebanon, escalating already heightened regional sensitivities.
In a separate statement posted on social media, Baqai said Iran’s past attacks on US bases were conducted under the principle of self-defence. He argued that any military base used for operations against Iran would be considered a legitimate target under international law.
He added that states have a responsibility to prevent their territory from being used to launch attacks on other countries, reinforcing Iran’s justification for its retaliatory actions.
Baqai also said US strikes were a violation of ceasefire understandings and forced Iran into retaliation. He warned that Tehran would not hesitate to respond again if required to protect its national security interests.
The spokesperson called on Kuwait to clarify the situation surrounding four detained Iranian citizens, though he did not provide further details on the case.
His remarks came amid continued regional instability following recent exchanges involving US and Iran-linked targets across the Middle East.
Baqai also strongly criticized a statement issued by the European Union, describing its position on Iran’s right to self-defence as “hypocritical and irresponsible.”
He urged European policymakers to adhere to international law and the principles of the UN Charter rather than aligning with what he called aggressive actions.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Tehran continues to closely monitor regional developments and remains committed to protecting national security while maintaining diplomatic engagement.
However, officials warned that progress in negotiations will remain difficult unless the United States adopts a consistent, predictable, and realistic stance.
