Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, rejecting suggestions that the agreement established a 60-day ceasefire that needed to be extended.
Araghchi said the understanding reached in Islamabad provided for an “end to the war”, rather than a temporary cessation of hostilities.
“What was set out in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was an ‘end to the war’; meaning that in this memorandum, an end to the war was declared,” Araghchi said in an interview, according to ISNA.
He blamed Washington for the subsequent resumption of hostilities, saying: “The US violated the memorandum.”
Araghchi also sought to clarify references to a 60-day period, saying it applied to negotiations intended to produce a final agreement and not to the duration of the cessation of fighting.
“What was mentioned as 60 days was a 60-day period for negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement. Based on that, there was no 60-day ceasefire,” he said.
The Iranian foreign minister said Pakistan and Qatar continue to act as intermediaries, exchanging messages and maintaining contact with Tehran. He stressed, however, that these communications should not be interpreted as a resumption of direct negotiations with Washington.
“No decision has yet been made to resume talks with the United States,” he said.
Separately, Araghchi said negotiations with Oman over arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz were continuing but were independent of the dispute over the Islamabad agreement.
Iran and Oman are currently working on plans for a temporary maritime route, he said, which would eventually be replaced by a permanent arrangement.