TEHRAN, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the United States would not be possible unless the latter ends its violation of the MoU recently signed between the two countries.
Araghchi made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Tehran, stressing that no negotiations are currently underway between the two sides, according to the official news agency IRNA.
"Although messages are being exchanged through mediators, this process is not called negotiation," he said.
Araghchi noted that although some intermediary countries are seeking to resume talks, it is not possible until the U.S. side ends its violation of the MoU and compensates for what it has violated.
Commenting on ongoing talks between Iran and Oman on establishing new maritime traffic arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz, he said negotiations with Muscat on the designation of a new route through the waterway are continuing and have progressed well so far.
He noted, however, that achieving a potential agreement between Iran and Oman would not mean that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, adding that the reopening of the waterway hinges on the fulfilment of other conditions that have been conveyed to the United States through mediators.
Iran tightened its grip on the strait on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.
In June, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. The two sides were scheduled to hold negotiations within a 60-day period to reach a final agreement, but recent escalation in the region has left the talks' fate uncertain.
Iran and Oman have been negotiating since a few weeks ago to reach an agreement on the designation of a new route in the strait for safe maritime traffic. ■
