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Iran has stated it does not regard US proposals for negotiations as sincere, pointing to what it describes as repeated US military actions during the course of diplomatic contacts. The comments from Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, reported by Russian state news agency TASS, underscore the deep mistrust that has come to define the relationship between Tehran and Washington, with the two nations on opposite sides of recent conflicts.

Coverage comparison

TASS reports that Baghaei's remarks came in response to a question about the possibility of resuming talks with the United States. Iran's Channel One, quoted by TASS, reported him as saying, "We do not consider these statements sincere. We have experienced firsthand the betrayal of diplomacy, which occurred twice in less than a year." According to the same source, the spokesman was referring to US military operations against Iranian targets in June 2025 and February 2026, which occurred while diplomatic channels were reportedly open.

Key claims

  • Iran and the United States held indirect talks in April-May 2025 focused on Tehran's nuclear program and sanctions relief, according to TASS reporters.
  • In June 2025, Israeli forces attacked Iran, and US bombers struck its nuclear facilities. A ceasefire was agreed twelve days later, TASS reports.
  • Tehran and Washington resumed indirect talks in early 2026, with the most recent round in Geneva on February 26. A further round in Vienna was expected before the February 28 escalation.
  • On February 28, both the US and Israel launched aggressive action against Iran, according to the Iranian narrative carried by TASS, continuing a pattern of hostilities during negotiation periods.
  • Baghaei was quoted as saying, "We will not tolerate this vicious cycle - war, negotiations, truce, then the same pattern again. This is a catastrophe not only for Iran but for the entire region and beyond."