Iran on Monday said it is not currently engaging in peace talks with the United States and will “defend ourselves for as long as our interests” require, after President Donald Trump paused the US’ bombing campaign following nearly two weeks of strikes.
Esmaeil Baghaei, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, said in a televised press conference that Tehran “will never allow the United States to determine the timing of war and peace.”
“We hold America responsible for the military aggression against Iran,” added Baghaei. “What exists at present cannot be called a ceasefire.”
Trump over the weekend halted lethal strikes, which had steadily intensified over the past 13 days. US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Sunday the pause in strikes was to allow talks with Iran to develop.
The recent dip in attacks came as Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers have convened in Tehran to discuss shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei said those ongoing bilateral discussions, are “useful negotiations regarding the management of shipping traffic” in the crucial waterway and “are unrelated to the United States.”
“The goal is for Iran and Oman, as two coastal states, to establish mechanisms to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz while respecting the sovereign rights and sovereignty of both coastal states and observing Iran’s security and national interests,” he said.
The foreign ministry spokesperson also condemned US-allied European countries, including France and the UK, for “complicity with the aggressor.”
“We expected the new British government to act more wisely than the previous government,” said Baghaei.
