Iran’s main problem in negotiating with the United States is Washington’s changing and contradictory positions, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
Speaking with CNN’s Senior International correspondent Frederik Pleitgen in Tehran Sunday, Baghaei said the exchange of messages continued through Pakistani mediators.
“The main problem of negotiating with this administration is that you have to face so many changing positions, moving the goal posts, different statements, contradictory remarks by different officials, so it makes the whole process very cumbersome,” Baghaei said.
There were quite a number of sticking points, he said, “but the main issue is that the Americans must understand that they have to recognize Iran’s rights,” including its right to peaceful nuclear enrichment under the international non-proliferation treaty.
“At the same time, when they are talking about our blocked assets they’re not going to give us any concession,” Baghaei said.
Iran is demanding that the US agree to unfreeze billions of dollars in frozen assets held in foreign banks.
CNN reported Sunday that the US plans to allow Iranian assets to be used to support rebuilding in Gulf countries impacted by future Iranian attacks, according to a source familiar with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s thinking.
The Treasury Department will also consider using Iranian assets to support repairs for past damage, according to the source who confirmed earlier reporting from Reuters on Saturday.
The US must “simply must stop their sanctions,” Baghaei told CNN. “As far as the sanctions and blocked assets are concerned, they simply need to let Iranian assets be released and be available for the Iranians.”
Baghaei accused the US of not respecting the ceasefire that came into effect in April. “They have been attacking our commercial ships, both in the Strait of Hormuz and in the high seas,” he asserted.
The situation is very volatile and very dangerous, Baghaei added, “and it’s all because of the United States’ reckless approach towards the region, and towards basically the ceasefire.”
The US military has said it remains ready to “continue defending against Iranian aggression” in the Gulf and said it shot down two more Iranian drones that were a threat to shipping on Saturday night.
Baghaei warned that Iran’s armed forces “are steadfast or resolute to respond to any attacks with all force.”
Editor’s Note: CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government but maintains full editorial control of its reports.
