The UN on Monday urged the US and Iran to resume negotiations as a 60-day deadline for reaching a broader agreement approaches, warning that there is no military solution to the conflict.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ message had remained unchanged since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
“His message is the same, which he's been delivering since the start, which is there is no military solution to this conflict.
“He urges the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States to resume negotiations towards a peaceful and durable settlement as soon as possible, to avoid military action and as well to lower the rhetoric that we've been hearing in recent days,” Dujarric said.
His remarks came as the 60-day negotiating period neared its end without a comprehensive agreement. The deadline stems from a June understanding between the US and Iran that established a window for negotiations toward a broader settlement.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the 60-day deadline for talks with the US following the June 17 memorandum of understanding had “lost its relevance” after what he called “flagrant” violations by Washington.
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US President Donald Trump has threatened to “bomb the sh*t out of” Oman if it strikes a separate deal with Iran on control of the Strait of Hormuz, despite Oman’s key role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to brokering talks between the US and Iran, Omani negotiators have been conducting parallel negotiations with Tehran aimed at establishing a safe route for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reportedly wants to charge fees for safe passage of the strait after an interim period, and Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters on Monday that Iran had reached an “understanding” with Oman on the matter.
Asked about these Omani-Iranian talks, Trump told Fox News that “if Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the sh*t out of them.”
The US rejects any agreement that would involve Iran collecting tolls, and Washington has signaled that it will not lift its blockade on Iranian ports unless Tehran relinquishes this demand. Speaking in New York on Friday, Trump claimed that the Islamic Republic was “very badly defeated,” and that he would soon “be declaring the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the US.”
A memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran in June set a 60-day window to bring the conflict to an end and reopen the strait. The memorandum expired without a deal, and with both sides threatening escalation, on Monday.
Oil prices jumped more than 2% on Monday after US President Donald Trump ruled out extending the framework agreement with Iran, heightening concerns over tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
ReplyDeleteInternational benchmark Brent crude rose 2.4% to $90.60 per barrel as of 1850GMT, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate climbed 2.2% to $84.20.
Trump told reporters that he was not seeking an extension of the agreement reached with Iran in June through Pakistani mediation, as its 60-day negotiating window neared expiration without a comprehensive settlement.
“They want to make a deal, but they are not going to make the kind of a deal that I feel is necessary,” Trump said, reiterating that Iran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
His remarks renewed concerns that stalled diplomacy could trigger a further escalation and disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil trade.
Trump also claimed that the US had established “total control” over the strait through its blockade.
US President Donald Trump said that he is not seeking to extend the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
ReplyDelete"No," he replied to a journalist’s question about whether he was eager to do so.
Iran is not showing willingness to accept the United States’ terms for ending the conflict, the president added.
"They want to make a deal, but they're not going to make the kind of a deal that I feel is necessary," he told reporters.