Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Aug 28: Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday said diplomacy with the United States could get back on track if Washington recognises that pressure against Tehran does not work.
Araghchi made the remarks in a post on X while referring to his meeting on Thursday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Tehran, where the two sides held what he described as “creative discussions”.
“Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible. It hinges on US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work,” Araghchi said.
He called on Washington to build trust, engage respectfully, acknowledge Iran’s rights and honour its commitments towards Tehran.
On June 18, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the war in the region. Under the agreement, the two sides were scheduled to hold negotiations within 60 days, with the deadline falling on August 17, to reach a final agreement.
However, the future of the talks remains uncertain following an escalation between the two countries last month.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced what he described as “the most crushing economic operation ever taken” against any country providing a lifeline to Iran.
“This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,” Trump said, describing the move as “an economic D-Day”.
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian security official on Thursday warned that Tehran would respond harshly if the US carried out any “malicious” action, targeting American military and economic interests in the West Asia region.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei made the remarks during his meeting with the Qatari prime minister in Tehran, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
Rezaei also highlighted Tehran’s distrust of Washington, accusing the US of repeatedly betraying diplomacy and negotiations.
He said Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz only after Washington takes practical steps to meet Tehran’s conditions.
The Qatari prime minister, meanwhile, reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to cooperate with Iran, citing the country’s regional responsibilities.