Iran says no direct talks with US, messages exchanged through mediators

TEHRAN, Aug 9 : Iran is not currently engaged in direct negotiations with the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday, adding that communications between the two sides are being conducted through mediators.

“Until the violations of the memorandum of understanding by the United States are over and the United States does not compensate for what it has violated, it is not possible to restart the negotiations,” Araghchi told reporters, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

He said mediators were continuing efforts to find new ways to resume negotiations. “Mediators are still trying to find new ways to negotiate,” he added.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington escalated after US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. The two sides agreed to a ceasefire in April and later signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending their military conflict and establishing a lasting peace agreement.

The agreement collapsed last month, however, triggering nearly two weeks of attacks between the two sides before US President Donald Trump halted the bombardment amid reports of efforts to revive negotiations.