Iran president says talks with US is ‘meaningless’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday, October 5, that negotiations with the United States were “meaningless”, accusing Washington of using talks to pave the way for renewed attacks as efforts to end the Middle East war remained stalled.

“So far, they have attacked us three times after talks, and this shows that they are not seeking dialogue; rather, their goal is to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Pezeshkian said, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. “With an enemy that every day resorts to assassination, sanctions, pressure and threats, and that breaks its commitments, negotiations are meaningless.”

His remarks came after recent indirect talks between Washington and Tehran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly failed to produce a breakthrough. The war began in late February when the United States and Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran while Washington and Tehran were negotiating over Iran’s nuclear programme.

The warring parties agreed to a memorandum of understanding in June outlining a framework for a permanent resolution. However, Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz prompted the resumption of U.S. military operations, leaving negotiations largely at an impasse. Washington has since scaled back military operations in favour of economic pressure and has not struck Iran since September 1.

Pezeshkian’s comments followed remarks on Sunday, October 4, by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said military action and further sanctions would not resolve the conflict. “There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” Araghchi said, pledging a stronger defence if attacks resumed.

“Only negotiations based on justice and fairness” could end the conflict, he added. The United States and Israel have said the war is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an ambition Tehran has long denied. The conflict’s focus later shifted towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz after its closure disrupted global energy markets.

Iran has sought to control passage through the strategic waterway since the war began, attacking vessels attempting to transit without its authorisation. The United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and struck vessels it accuses of breaching those restrictions. A tanker was struck while attempting to pass through the strait on Sunday, while another vessel turned back on Monday after Iranian forces threatened it with attack, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.