WANA (Apr 21) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated on Tuesday evening that Tehran has not yet reached a final decision regarding participation in the upcoming negotiations in Pakistan. He attributed this uncertainty to “contradictory messages, paradoxical behaviors, and unacceptable actions” from the United States.

 

In a televised interview, Baghaei addressed the status of the Pakistan-mediated talks between Iran and the U.S., emphasizing that diplomatic processes must be weighed based on national interests.

 

“The mere act of coming and going is neither a criterion for success nor an end in itself,” he noted. “What matters is reaching the conclusion that participation serves our national interests.”

 

Ceasefire Breaches and Naval Blockade

Baghaei asserted that the ceasefire was met with a “very clear breach of promise” by the U.S. from the very beginning. He highlighted that while a ceasefire in Lebanon was intended to be part of the agreement, it was not upheld.

 

Furthermore, he addressed the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports:

“The opposing side’s reaction was: ‘Yes, we thank Iran, but we will continue the naval blockade.’ As you know, a naval blockade is both an illegal act under international law and a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.”

 

He cited a 1974 UN General Assembly resolution defining the blockade of a country’s ports and ships as an act of aggression, labeling recent U.S. actions against commercial shipping as “maritime and state piracy.”

 

Commitment and Accountability

Defending Iran’s diplomatic track record, Baghaei referenced the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), noting that Iran remained fully committed for a year after the U.S. withdrawal in 2018. “This demonstrates a responsible and committed approach to obligations,” he said.

 

Regarding the decision to enter initial talks, the spokesperson described it as a “brave decision” made after 40 days of national defense. He acknowledged the heavy toll of the conflict, stating:

 

“The pain of every loved one we lost—including our martyred Leader and dear commanders—will weigh on our souls forever. They destroyed Iranian assets and caused great harm, yet they failed to achieve their goals due to the people’s spirited resistance.”

 

Discrepancy Between Rhetoric and Action

Baghaei criticized the mismatch between U.S. “diplomatic gestures” and their actual behavior, stating that these contradictions are being clarified for both the Iranian public and regional opinion.

 

When asked if nuclear issues would be on the agenda for potential future talks, Baghaei declined to comment on specifics, stating that such details would only be discussed if a final decision to participate is made.

 

He concluded by noting that further information regarding the delegation’s status would be managed by the head of the negotiating team, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.