IRAN DENIES DIRECT TALKS WITH US, DISMISSES ‘UNREASONABLE’ DEMANDS

Mon 30 March 2026:

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei says Tehran has “not had any direct negotiations with the US so far”.

“What has been discussed are messages we received through intermediaries stating that the US wants to negotiate,” Baghaei said in comments carried by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency.

“I wonder how many people in America take the claims of American diplomacy seriously. Our task is clear, unlike the other side, which keeps changing its position.

“Iran has been clear about its position from the beginning, and we know very well what the framework is that we are considering. The material conveyed to us has been excessive and unreasonable requests.

“The meetings that Pakistan has are a framework that they established themselves and we did not participate in. It is good for the countries of the region to be concerned about ending the war, but they should be careful about which side started the war.”

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

Islamabad signals possible US-Iran talks amid mixed signals from Washington

By Kamal Hyder Reporting from Islamabad

The meeting of foreign ministers in Pakistan ended earlier than expected.

These ministers were due to remain in Islamabad today to work on a path towards ending the war but the quadrilateral meeting concluded late last night and the officials are now leaving.

Pakistan’s FM hinted at possible talks between the US and Iran, with Islamabad offering to host, though it remains unclear whether Tehran would agree.

The group also called for confidence-building measures from Iran to ensure that sea lines of communication through the Strait of Hormuz remain unimpeded, as regional countries continue to suffer the fallout from disruptions.

While Pakistan is signalling talks, there appears to be mixed messaging from the US administration. Many in Pakistan, including political analysts and regional experts, believe the US president faces domestic political pressure and growing concerns that Iran could become a quagmire, while also being pushed by figures like Netanyahu and hawks in Washington to escalate further.

Saudi, Turkish, Egyptian diplomats leave Islamabad after urgent talks

By Abid Hussain reporting from Islamabad

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt have departed Islamabad following high-level talks.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated that “dialogue and diplomacy” remain the only viable solutions to the Gulf crisis.

According to the readout issued after the session, the four nations called for an immediate end to hostilities, emphasised Muslim unity and backed structured negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Dar said he had briefed his counterparts on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad, with the visiting ministers expressing “full support” for the initiative.

On the sidelines, the foreign ministers also held meetings with Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22