Iran Says No Decision Yet to Resume Talks With US

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that no decision has yet been made to resume negotiations with the United States.
Araghchi said Pakistan and Qatar, acting as mediators, were exchanging messages with Iran. However, he stressed that the exchange of messages did not mean that negotiations between Iran and the United States had resumed.
Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi strongly reacted to US President Donald Trump’s remarks about declaring the Strait of Hormuz American territory.
Gharibabadi said Iran alone would have the authority to decide whether the Strait of Hormuz would be opened or closed, adding that Tehran was not intimidated by US threats or displays of military power.
Trump has said that Washington was preparing to increase economic pressure on Iran in an effort to force Tehran to end the war.
The latest statements come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States and growing concerns over the future of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.