Iran says US talks meaningless until seven conditions met as Qatari mediators arrive
Iran's parliament spokesman said negotiations with the United States will be ineffective unless Tehran's seven stated conditions are satisfied, as Qatari mediators reach the capital.
Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Sunday to support efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions involving the United States, according to a Reuters report citing an official briefed on the situation. Iran, however, indicated that any dialogue with Washington will remain ineffective until its seven pre-announced conditions are fulfilled.
Abbas Gouzardi, spokesman for the speaker of Iran’s parliament, told state-linked ISNA news agency that talks would serve no purpose until the conditions are met. He added that President Donald Trump’s recent warnings of possible further attacks were "boasting with the aim of threatening."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its seven conditions, and until these conditions are met negotiations will be meaningless," Gouzardi said.
Gouzardi also accused the United States of attempting to diminish Iran’s nuclear capabilities and to control the Strait of Hormuz to reduce pressure on itself.
President Trump said a decision is pending on whether to reach a deal with Tehran or resume attacks, stating in a Fox News interview, "I have a decision to make: Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal? That's all. We don’t play games."
He suggested that U.S. strikes could resume after the November 3 midterm elections and noted the deployment of additional military assets to the Persian Gulf, including a third aircraft carrier group. Diplomatic attempts to resolve the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled.