News Desk
TEHRAN: Iranian officials have accused the United States of undermining diplomatic efforts, as tensions continued to rise over maritime security arrangements and long-stalled negotiations involving regional stability and nuclear-related discussions.
Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Washington had once again “betrayed diplomacy for a third time”, arguing that recent US actions and continued maritime restrictions reflected what he described as a lack of genuine commitment to dialogue. His remarks added to a growing wave of hardline rhetoric emerging from Tehran at a time when diplomatic channels appeared increasingly strained.
The comments came as broader discussions between Iran and the United States remained unsettled, with disagreements persisting over security guarantees, sanctions-related concerns and control of key maritime routes. Iranian officials have repeatedly framed these disputes as evidence of inconsistent US engagement in negotiations.
Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that no formal negotiations were currently taking place on Iran’s nuclear programme, stressing instead that priority had shifted towards de-escalation and the management of ongoing regional conflicts. He also said that no agreement had been reached with Washington, particularly regarding arrangements linked to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, adding that any such understanding would be coordinated with Oman, which has historically played a mediating role in regional diplomacy.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, remained at the centre of strategic concern. While diplomatic exchanges continued in parallel with increasingly sharp political messaging, no clear breakthrough appeared to be in sight, underscoring the fragility of the current phase in US-Iran relations.
