Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the 60-day period envisaged for talks had lost its validity under the circumstances, arguing that Washington had violated the understanding between Iran and the United States.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday, Baqaei said the text signed on June 17 did not directly include the phrase "60-day period." The spokesman said Iran did not determine its policies through pressure, ultimatums or time limits, adding that the period had been envisaged for negotiations on two issues.
Scope of negotiations with the United States
Baqaei said the understanding envisaged a 60-day period for negotiations on lifting sanctions and the nuclear issue, adding that the period could be extended if the parties failed to reach an agreement.
Arguing that the United States had violated the understanding in an "explicit and comprehensive" manner, Baqaei said no dialogue had begun even several weeks after the agreement was signed. The spokesman said the debate over the 60-day period had therefore become entirely meaningless.
Iran's position on mediation
Baqaei claimed that US sanctions had no effect on Iran and said the main reason for the disputes between Tehran and Washington was not the absence of a mediator.
The spokesman said Pakistan and Qatar already played roles in Iran-US relations. He described it as natural for some European countries to express their views and declare their readiness to offer goodwill initiatives in bilateral contacts. However, he said this did not mean that a new mediator had emerged or been accepted in Iran-US relations.
Transit plan for the Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said talks with Oman on maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz were continuing.
Baqaei said preparing a maritime traffic route map with Oman was taking time. He attributed the situation to security problems he said had been caused by the actions of the United States and Israel, the involvement of numerous actors in the process and disruptions caused by "malicious currents."
Baqaei said the understanding that could emerge from the talks with Oman might be prepared as a package consisting of a roadmap and a joint statement.
Situation of missing pilots
Baqaei said the fate of the missing Iranian pilots remained on Tehran's agenda. He said the continuation of diplomatic relations with Qatar did not conflict with closely following the situation of the pilots serving in the Iranian military.
Qatar's Defense Ministry announced on March 2 that it had shot down two Iranian Su-24 aircraft. Iran said at the time that four pilots had been killed after its aircraft were struck during attacks on a US base in Qatar. Tehran said the body of one of the pilots had been recovered, while the fate of the other three remained unknown.
Qatar rejected Iran's accusation on Saturday that Doha had detained the three pilots.
Iran-US conflict and ceasefire process
The United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28. Tehran also carried out retaliatory attacks against countries hosting US military assets in the region.
Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire agreement in April. In June, the parties signed an understanding aimed at ending the military conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement.
The understanding collapsed last month, and Iran and the United States carried out reciprocal attacks for nearly two weeks. US President Donald Trump suddenly halted the bombardment as efforts to revive the agreement continued.
