Iran Rejects US Talks Resumption, Cites Violated Peace Agreement

Iran has not made a decision to resume negotiations with the US, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, and as reported by the Mehr agency. Araghchi indicated that the US violated the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he said was intended to conclude the conflict rather than serve as a temporary pause in fighting.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “We did not have a ceasefire to extend; we had an end to the war, which has now entered a new situation,” Araghchi said. He acknowledged that Qatar and Pakistan are exchanging messages as mediators and remain in contact with Tehran, but he emphasized that this does not constitute formal negotiations. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi reported ongoing technical discussions with Oman focused on establishing new maritime routes for vessel traffic. He stated that previous routes are no longer operational and a temporary path is currently being designed by specialists and armed forces representatives. Araghchi specified that these technical talks are separate from any decision to reopen the strait to general transit. “Whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens or not depends on the fulfilment of other conditions to which America must adhere,” he stated. Strait of Hormuz blockade and US position On Aug. 14, US President Donald Trump announced intentions to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory following the conclusion of the military conflict with Iran. Speaking at the David S. Mack Training and Intelligence Center, Trump stated the US currently maintains a blockade of the waterway. Other Topics of Interest US Backs Japan After Putin’s Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands On Thursday, Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands for the first time in his 26-year tenure, drawing fresh attention to the WWII sovereignty dispute with Japan. Commercial traffic through the strait largely ceased on Aug. 14 following attacks on two additional vessels. The US government indicated it is prepared to maintain the maritime blockade indefinitely. An Iranian source stated that previous negotiations to extend a June ceasefire agreement yielded no results. Following the breakdown of that ceasefire, Iran resumed attacks on vessels it claims are attempting to navigate the strait without authorization from Tehran. Prior to this, on Aug. 2, Trump announced a temporary suspension of planned US military strikes to allow for diplomatic negotiations, stipulating the immediate opening of the strait as a primary condition for any agreement. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.