WASHINGTON: The United States will engage in “technical talks” with Iran and remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict, despite the two countries trading airstrikes in recent days, a U.S. official said Thursday.
The official said President Donald Trump had made his position clear and characterized Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels as “acts of terrorism,” according to a report from MS Now.
The comments came after Trump, speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, said the ceasefire with Iran was “over”.
The memorandum of understanding signed last month between the two countries is performance-based, and Iran’s actions constitute “failed performance at an unacceptable level,” the U.S. official told MS Now, adding that talks with Tehran will continue.
The ceasefire agreement has come under serious strain in recent days, with U.S. and Iranian forces conducting strikes this week. The U.S. military conducted renewed offensive strikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces subsequently struck U.S. facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan.
“I don’t want to deal with them anymore,” Trump said at the NATO summit, referring to Iran.
On his way back from the summit, Trump said Iran had called to make a deal to cease the escalating hostilities in the Middle East.
“They called a little while ago. They want to make a deal so badly. I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal. I don’t know that they’re going to honor the deal. That’s the problem,” he said.
Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of not honoring the MOU, citing violations of “Iranian adjustments” in the Strait of Hormuz, “persistent threats of further strikes” and reinstating oil sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury Department subsequently withdrew a waiver that had allowed Iran to sell its oil.
Oil prices were marginally lower Friday in Asia trading, with global benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery easing to $76.30 per barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures stood at $71.87.
