Tehran maintains a rebellious public stance as negotiators look to the sixth round of talks through Oman.
Iran will not suspend uranium enrichment to ensure transactions with the US over its nuclear program, officials say.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghhai reiterated Tehran’s harsh public stance on Monday, and Branding reports that Iran could offer to freeze enrichment for three years as talks with the US progressed as “completely false.”
The denial comes three days after Tehran and Washington negotiators met for a fifth round of Oman-based talks in Rome. The US says it cannot accept Iran’s enrichment. Iran rejected such a “red line.”
“Iran will never accept it,” Baghey told reporters, adding that Tehran is waiting for details from Oman about negotiations for the sixth round.
With domestic politics in mind, Tehran has been careful to maintain the strict boundaries around consultations.
President Masuud Pezeshkian on Monday tried to double his claim that Iran was ready to leave without dealing if necessary, regardless of costs.
“If they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions, we won’t die of hunger. We will find a way to survive,” said Pezeschkian, cited from the IRNA of the state news agency.
A complex puzzle
The mood Tehran painted after his latest round was in contrast to the photographs provided in Washington.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he regularly makes unfounded claims about progress made towards solving complex geopolitical puzzles, suggesting that negotiations were “very, very good” and that the announcement would be “the next two days.”
“Let’s see what happens, but I think there’s some good news on the Iranian front,” he said. “We’ve made some real progress, serious progress.”
At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araguchi also spoke about “signs of progress” after the fifth round of talks.
Optimism helped to promote media coverage that the interim agreement was seen as a stepping stone towards the final deal.
However, Baghaei has eliminated the possibility of a temporary transaction.
“We are optimistic if there is goodwill from the US side, but if the speech is aimed at restraining Iran’s rights, then the talk won’t go anywhere,” he said.
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