“The Islamic Republic of Iran is not engaged in any negotiations with the US officials at any level,” he said on Sunday, in response to a question asked by reporters.
The US’ calls for talks with Iran have been rejected by Tehran, which says the United States needs to stop “economic terrorism” against the Iranian nation if it really seeks talks with the Islamic Republic.
“We do not hold negotiations with those who have waged economic terrorism against our people. This should stop,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday.
The top Iranian diplomat lashed out at Washington for unilaterally pulling out of a multilateral 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reinstating its harsh economic sanctions against Iran.
“We never left the negotiating table…. They (Americans) themselves decided to do so. They now make a false claim to deceive [the public] that ‘we are ready to negotiate.’ If they are ready for talks, negotiations are not in sync with terrorism,” he said.
US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the JCPOA in May 2018 and re-imposed harsh sanctions against the Islamic Republic in defiance of global criticism.
