Iranian official: We will not negotiate on any issue other than the nuclear file

Unnamed Iranian officials made statements to the press after it was claimed that the meeting scheduled for Friday between the US and Iran had collapsed due to a disagreement over location and format. Addressing reports that the US had refused to change the location and format of the meeting planned for Friday, the officials argued that the US leaking information regarding the talks was "unserious."

Speaking to the Qatari press, a high-ranking Iranian official addressed the reports that the US had rejected changing the location and format of the meeting scheduled for Friday, stating that this showed the US was not serious about the process. The official said, "We will not accept negotiations on any issue other than the nuclear file. It appears that hardline circles, which are opposed to diplomacy, are becoming increasingly influential in the US decision-making process regarding the negotiations."

"There will be no bowing to pressure"

In a report by the Lebanese press citing an Iranian source, it was stated that Iran remains ready for negotiations, emphasizing that issues outside the framework of the nuclear file would not be allowed to be brought to the agenda in potential meetings with the US. The source also stated that there would be no bowing to pressure to change the agreed-upon negotiation formula and framework, and that such attempts would not be responded to.

"Diplomacy and negotiation require determination and seriousness"

An unnamed Iranian official speaking to the Iranian press said, "The problem is not changing the location of the negotiations. The Americans change what they say at any moment. Diplomacy and negotiation require determination and seriousness. It cannot be done by constantly changing positions under the influence of pro-war circles linked to Israel."

The Iranian press, citing a source from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated in its report that US soldiers would be a legitimate target for Iran.

The claim that the US rejected Iran's request for a change in location and format

The meeting between Iran and the US was planned to be held in Turkey in a format where some Arab and Muslim countries would participate as observers. Reports in the Iranian press had stated that the meeting would be held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, and would be conducted in an indirect format, and that the talks would be limited to the nuclear file and the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

In reports by the US press citing two unnamed US officials, it was claimed that the US had rejected a request to change the location and format of the meeting scheduled for Friday with Iran. The reports stated that US officials had considered the request for a change of location but decided to reject it today. The US officials used the phrase, "We told them it's either this way or not at all, and they said, 'Okay, then not at all.'" The officials also said that if the Iranians were willing to return to the original format, the US was ready to meet this week or next week.

The officials stated that the US wants to reach a real agreement with Iran quickly, otherwise they could turn to other options. The US wants ballistic missiles and the proxy forces Iran funds in the Middle East to be included in the negotiations, in addition to Iran's nuclear program.

News Source: 12punto