Iranian official: All contacts with US so far initiated by Washington

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said on June 20 that Tehran has made no attempts to contact the United States since the start of Israel’s recent military campaign, with all indirect communications instead coming from Washington.

“Iranian officials have not made any phone calls or sent any messages to the White House. Since early morning on [June 13], the White House has been sending us messages through various channels — via leaders of regional countries and through European channels,” Khatibzadeh told ISNA news agency, Caliber.Az reports.

Talks between Iran and the US stalled after a planned round of negotiations in Oman on June 15 was cancelled, following the launch of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites on June 13.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has earlier ruled out any negotiations under current conditions, saying Tehran would not engage in talks “with any party” until Israeli attacks stop. He also accused the US of complicity in the strikes, claiming Washington sought a return to negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme but that Tehran rejected the approach.

“There is no room for negotiations with the US until the Israeli aggression stops,” Araghchi said.

By Sabina Mammadli