Iran's Foreign Minister: US talk of "negotiations" is equivalent to admitting "failure"

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, in an interview with national television on the 25th, questioned the U.S. claims of “negotiating” with Iran and believed that the change in tone from the U.S. was equivalent to the failure of their previous demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” “Didn’t the Americans say ‘unconditional surrender’?” Abdollahian said. “So why are they now talking about negotiations?” “The fact that they are talking about negotiations now is no different from admitting failure.” The Iranian Students’ News Agency quoted Abdollahian as saying that Iran’s current policy is to continue resisting. There is communication between Iran and the U.S., but no negotiations have taken place. Abdollahian stated that in recent days, the U.S. has conveyed messages to Iran through several friendly countries, and Iran has responded through these mediators to warn or clarify its stance. “This is not negotiation or dialogue, but information exchange.” He also said that some ideas proposed by the U.S. in these messages have been relayed to Iran’s senior officials. Additionally, Abdollahian reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is not completely closed but is closed against hostile parties. Countries not involved in the conflict with Iran can transit with coordination. Regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is developing relevant management arrangements and has issued warnings that if armed forces enter the strait area, the situation will become more tense. On the same day, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that even if Iran has not accepted the U.S. proposal of a “15-point plan” to end the conflict, negotiations will continue. She reaffirmed that the U.S. estimates the duration of military actions against Iran to be “4 to 6 weeks.” According to U.S. media reports on the 24th, the U.S. has transmitted a plan containing 15 key points aimed at ending the conflict to Iran through Pakistan. Iran’s state television on the 25th quoted a senior Iranian official as saying that Iran rejects the U.S. ceasefire proposal and has put forward five conditions for a ceasefire. (Xinhua)